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Publications of the Canadian Archives — No. 5. 






THE PRECURSORS OF 
JACQUES CARTIER 

1497-1534 



A COLLECTION OF DOCDMENTS RELATING TO THE 
EARLY HISTORY 

OF THE /■^r^" 

/ REreivEO 

DOMINION OF CANADA C ^^^ " 



EDITED BY 

H. P. BIGGAR. B.Lm. 

OF THE ARCHIVES BRANCH 



Published by authority of the Minister of Agriculture 
under the direction of the Archivist 



OTTAWA 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING BUREAU 

1911 



f.a 



Publications of the Canadian Archives — No. 5. 



THE PRECURSORS OF 
JACQUES CARTIER 

1497-1534 

A COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE 
EARLY HISTORY 

OF THE 

DOMINION OF CANADA 



EDITED BY 



H. P. BIGGAR. B.Lii-i. 

OP THE ARCHIVES BRANCH 



Published by authority oj the Minister of Agriculture 
under the direction of the Archivist 



OTTAWA 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING BUREAU 
1911 
4473— A— B— 16i _l^ 

Mono<rrnr/r! 



By transfer 
UlC 30 19t5 









./ 



u 



'» !^EP 11 J9„ ^ 



PREFACE i G 

In this volume an attempt has been made to bring together 
for the first time and to render accessible in English form the 
chief manuscript sources of the earliest history of Canada. The 
majority of these documents have appeared in print already, but 
the texts here given have, wherever possible, been either copied 
from or collated with the original manuscripts. In some few 
cases facsimiles have been used. 

The translations are in every case uew, and in view of the 
publication of the original Latin, Italian, Spanish and' Portu- 
guese, a somewhat free rendering has been adopted. It has 
not been cousidered necessary to translate the French docu- 
ments. 

From these sources and from the printed volumes and 
atlases listed in the appendix has been compiled the introduc- 
tion. Owing to the fragmentary nature of the material available 
this is necessarily an incomplete story. Many of the state- 
ments in the same are purely conjectural and must be con- 
sidered as nothing more than working hypotheses. As such 
it is hoped that they may stimulate the interests or arouse the 
curiosity of fresh investigators. Should such a result follow, 
and the narrow bounds of our knowledge of early Canadian 
history be in consequence extended, one of the main objects 
of this volume will have been achieved. 

It is with gratitude and with pleasure that the editor 
acknowledges the valuable assistance of many friends and 
scholars. To Mr. Hubert Hall, F.S.A., author of the standard 
work on the English archives, and to Dr. S. E. Dawson, C.M.G., 
whose labours have coutributed so materially to the elucidation 



vi PREFACE. 

of the Cabot voyages, especial thanks are due for much help 
and counsel. In the transcription of the documents that fol- 
low, Sr. D. Pedro Torres Lanzas of the Archivo de Indias 
at Seville, Sr. Pedro A. d'Azevedo of the Torre do Tomho at 
Lisbon, Sr. D. Julian Paz of the Archivo General de Siman- 
cas, and Cav. Giovanni Ognibene of the Archivio di Stato at 
Modena, yveve of great assistance during the editor's visits to 
those places. He wishes also to thank Mr. E. H. Pooley, 
Clerk of the Drapers' Company, for permission to examine that 
company's records. One of the Prari manuscripts was kindly" 
collated by Monsieur J. Plattard, Docteur es Lettres ; while in 
the translation -of the Spanish and Portuguese documents the 
editor received much help from the expert knowledge of 
Monsieur R. Foulche-Delbosc, of Paris, the editor of the 
Itevue Hispanique. Mr. S. V. Blake, of Trosley, Kent, has 
been good enough to read the Introduction, which with the 
remainder of the volume, has been improved by the critic- 
isms of Drs. Doughty and Roy of the Archives Branch. To 
each and all of the above the editor here expresses his warmest 
thanks. 

H. P. B. 

London, 5 November, 1910. 




INTRODUCTION 

The Euroj)ean explorer who at the close of the fifteenth 
century^ first sighted that portion of l^orth America subse- 
quently called Canada was Giovanni Caboto, of Genoa^. Of 
Cabot's early life nothing is known. We hear of him first in 
1461 when he removed from Genoa and took up his residence 
in Venice, probably on account of the numerous factories 
maintained by that republic throughout the Levant. On one 

'Of his trading voyages to tlie eastern Mediterranean, Cabot, 
who in 1476 was naturalized a Venetian citizen,^ made his way 
via Alexandria and the Red Sea to, as he asserts, Mecca,^ which 
city was then the greatest mart in the world for the exchange 

of the goods of the west for those of the east. On inquiry 
whence came the sj)ices, perfumes, silks and precious stones 

■offered at Mecca for barter, Cabot was informed that they were 
brought by caravan from the northeastern part of further Asia.^ 
Being versed in a knowledge of the sphere, it occurred to him 
that this merchandise might be transported to Europe by sail- 
ing straight across the western ocean. Compared with the long 

-camel route from northeastern Asia to Mecca and thence to 
Alexandria and Venice, the voyage by water from Asia to 
Europe would effect a veritable revolution in trade. The first 

:Step in such a change was to find the course across the western 
ocean from Europe to Asia. 



1. For an account of the voyages of the Northmen, vid. A. M. Reeves, 
The Finding of Wiyieland the Good, London, 1890; and J. E. Olson, The 
Voyages of the Northmen in Volume I. of the Original Narratives of Early 
American History, edited by J. F. Jameson, New York, 1906. 

2. H. Harrisse, Jean et Sibastieyi Cabot, 13-35, Paris, 1882. 

3. After fifteen yers' residence or domicile. Vid. Doc. Ila., p. 1. 

4. Doc. Xa., p. 20. 

5. Ihid. 

vii 



IXTKOnUCTlON 



Filled with this idea, Cabot about the year 1484 made hi^ 
way in the Venetian galleys to England, and settled in 
London.^ In course of time his plans were made known to the 
merchants of Bristol, from which port an extensive trade ^vas 
then carried on with Iceland.^ It was decided that an attempt 
should be made first of all to find the island of Brazil or that 
of the Seven Cities, which on most medieval maps were placed 
to the west of Ireland.^ Such islands might form the stepping 
stones of the new path to Asia across the western sea. 

Vessels were despatched from Bristol in 1491 and 1492, 
presumably under Cabot's direction, to find the island of Brazil 
or that of the Seven Cities, but to no purpose.* No land of 
any sort could be seen. It looked as if this venture might 
have as unsuccessful an issue as that made from the same port 
in 1480.^ 

When matters were in this state news reached England iu 
the summer of 1493 that another Genoese, Christopher Col- 
umbus, had sailed from Spain westward with three ships, and 
had reached the Indies. Great excitement prevailed at the 
English court.^ Interest in Cabot's plan was augmented by 
a visit which Henry VII. and his court paid to Bristol in the 



1. Doc. LXIa., I). 183, and Sebastian Cabot himself in Ramusio, Navi- 
gationi et Viaggi, vol. I., Venetia, 1550, fol. 402v: "& mi disse die sendosi 
partito suo padie da Venetia gia molti anni, & andato a stare in Inghilterra 
a far mercantie lo meno seco nella citta di Londra," etc. At one period 
John Cabot lived " within the Blackfriars." Cf. W. Strachey, Historie 
of Travaile into Virginia, etc., p. 6, London, (Hakluyt Society), 1849. 

2. Revue Hispanique, tome X, pp. 534 et seq. Paris, 1903; and Eden's 
Decades of the ncwe worlde in E. Arber's, First Three English Books on 
America, p. 288, marginal note. London, 1895. 

3. Ibid. p. 520, note 3. 

4. Doc. XIVa., p. 28. 

5. Willelmi de Worcestre, Itinerariurn edited by .Tacob. Nasmith, pp. 
267-8, Cantab, 1778; printed in Harrisse, Jean et Sehastien Cabot, p. 44, 
note 3, and in his Discovery of North America, p. 659, N°. XIIT, London, 
1892. 

6. Ramusio, op. cit. loc. cit. : "In quel tempo venne nova che'l 

.signor don Christophoro Colombo, Genovese, havea scoperta la costa 
delPIndie & se ne parlava grandemente per tutta la corte del Re Henrico 
VII. che allhora regnava, dicendosi che era state cosa piu tosto divina che 
humana I'haver trovata quella via mai piu saputa, d'andare in Oriente, 
dove nasiono la spetie." 



INTRODUCTION 



winter of 1495-6.^ As a result, letters patent were issued 
on 5 March, 1496,^ whereby Henry VII. granted to his 
' wel-beloved John Cabot, citizen of Venice, to Lewis, 
Sebastian and Santius, sonnes of the said John, full and 
free authority, leave and powder to saile to all parts, 
countries and seas of the East, of the West, and of the I^orth,. 
under our banners and ensignes, with five ships, of M'hat 
burthen soever they be, and as many mariners or men as they 
will have with them in the said ships, upon theyr owne proper 
costs and charges, to seeke out, discover and finde whatsoever 
isles, countries, regions or provinces of the heathen and infidels,. 
in what part of the world soever they be, which before this 
time, have beene unknowen to all Christians.' ' In every 
village, towne, castle, isle or mainland of them newly found ' 
the king's ' banners and ensigns ' were to be displayed. 
Furthermore, ' as often as they shall arrive at our port of 
Bristol, at the which port they shall be liolden only to arrive,' 
they were to pay unto the king, after deduction of their neces- 
sary expenses, ' the fifth part of the gain of all fruits, profits, 
gaines and commodities growing of such navigation. ' Every- 
thing brought from the new lands was to pass the customs 
free of duty ; and no one might visit those regions ' without 
the license of the foresayd John and his sonnes.' 

Armed with these powers, John Cabot prepared to set sail 
for the coast of Asia. In June, 1496, Columbus had returned 
from his second expedition, bringing gold and tropical mer- 
chandise. High hopes were held that Cabot would meet with 
a like success. On Tuesday, 2 May, 1497, in command of a 
vessel called the Maihew, manned by eighteen men, he finally 
set sail from Bristol.^ 

Rounding Ireland, he steered first north and then Avest. 



1. Eobert Ricart, The Maire of Bristoice is Kalendar, p. 48, London, 
(Camden Society), 1872. 

2. Docs. III. and IVa., pp. 6 and 8. 

3. Docs. Xa., and LXIII., pp. 20 and 194-5. 



X INTRODUCTION 

During several weeks of variable winds their course was 
irregular, although steadily westward.^ At length after being 
fifty-two days at sea, about five o'clock on Saturday morning, 
24 June, they sighted what from the La Cosa and Sebastian 
Cabot maps would appear to have been the western extremity 
of Cape Breton island.^ 

With the royal banner unfurled, John Cabot set foot on 
land, and in solemn form took possession of the country in the 
name of King Henry VII. The soil being found fertile and 
the climate temperate, Cabot was convinced that he had 
reached the northeastern extremity of Asia, whence came the 
silks and spices which had been displayed for barter at Mecca. 
No people were observed, but some snares set for game and a 
notch here and there among the trees showed that the country 
was inhabited.^ Cape Breton was christened Cape Discovery, 
and the day being the festival of St. John the Baptist, they 
gave to Scatari island, which lies a few miles from the shore, 
tliG name of the island of St. John.^ 

Wood and water having been taken on board, preparations 
were made to return home with the good news. Cape Ray, 
which at a distance is most conspicuous, Cabot named appar- 
ently St. George's cape, while to St. Pierre and Miquelon, 
which with Langlade then formed three separate islands, he 
ga\'e the name of the Trinity group.^ Along this southern 
coast of ISTewfoundland the explorers met great schools of cod, 

1. Doc. Xa., p. 20. 

2. The La Cosa, Cabot and Michael Lok maps in A. E. Nordenskiold, 
Periplus, N° XLIII. Stockholm, 1897; Harrisse, Jean et Sebastien Cabot, 
frontispiece; and Hakluyt, Divers Voyages, 55, London, 1850; Notes and 
Queries, 8 ser. XI., 501; and Hakhiyt, Principall Navigations, 511, Lon- 
don, 1589. Cf. Dr. S. E. Dawson, The Voyages of the Cabots in 1497 and 
1498, Montreal, 1894, and his Latest Phases of the Controversy, Ottawa, 
1897. 

3. Docs. VITa. and Xa., pp. 14 and 20. 

4. Doc. LXIII., p. 194, and Hakluyt, op. cit. loc. cit. Although accord- 
ing to Jean Alfonse {Cosmographie, Musset's edit., pp. 499 and 502), both St. 
Paul and Scatari islands bore this name, all the maps except the Cabot 
map place the island near Cape Breton. Cf. the Reinel, Maggiolo, Ric- 
cardiana, Santa-Cruz, Harleian, Gutierrez and Vaz Dourado maps. 

5. La Cosa's map. 



INTRODUCTION 



which the sailors canght merely by lowering baskets into the 
water and hauling them up again full of iish.^ Cape Race, 
the last land seen, they christened England's cape." 

The prevailing winds in the N'orth Atlantic being from 
the west, the return voyage was made without difficulty, and 
on Sunday, 6 August, the Mathew dropped anchor once more 
in Bristol harbour.^ Cabot hastened to court, and on Thurs- 
day, 10 August, received from the king a present of ten pounds 
($600) for having ' found the new isle.^ Cabot reported that 
some 700 leagues beyond Ireland he had reached the country 
of the Grand Khan. ISTow that the course w^as known the 
voyage could be made in a fortnight. Although both silk 
and brazilwood were to be obtained at the spot where he 
had landed, it was his intention on his next voyage to proceed 
further south along that coast until he came to Cipangu or 
Japan, in his opinion the cradle of all riches of the East. 
Once Cipangu had been reached, London would become a 
greater depot for species than Alexandria itself.^ 

Henry VII. was delighted, and promised Cabot in the 
spring a large fleet with which to sail to Cipangu. Mean- 
while the discoverer was given a pension of $20, equivalent in 
modern currency to about $1,200.^ Part of this largesse 
Cabot spent on a new silk doublet and hose. Dressed in tliese, 
he allowed himself to be lionized during the winter by the rich 
merchants of London.^ 

Fresh letters patent were i=isued on 3 February, 1498, by 
which Cabot was empowered to ' take at his pleasure vi 
englisshe shippes and theym convey and lede to the londe and 



1. Doc. Xa., p. 20. 

2. La Cosa's map. 

3. LXIII., p. 195. 

4. Doc. VI., p. 12. 

5. Does. VIIa. and Xa., pp. 14 and 20-21. 

6. Doc. IX., p. 16. 

7. Docs. VIIa. and Xa., pp. 14 and 21. 



xii I^^TR0DUCT10N 

iles of late founde by the said John.'^ Henry VII. further- 
more himself advanced considerable sums of money to various 
members of the expedition.^ As success seemed assured, it was 
hoped the ships would return laden with the riches of the East. 

On a visit paid by Cabot to Lisbon and to Seville, to 
engage the services of men who had sailed to the East with 
Da Gama or who had navigated with Columbus to the Indies,^ 
he appears to have met a certain Joao Fernandez, called 
llavrador, who about the year 1492 had made his way from 
Iceland to Greenland.^ As Greenland, which was then thought 
to form part of Asia, lay so near Iceland, Cabot, from the 
scanty evidence available, would seem to have made up his 
mind to steer a more northerly course on this voyage. 

Early in May, the expedition, which consisted of two ships 
and 300 men, set sail from Bristol.^ Several vessels in the 
habit of trading to Iceland appear to have accompanied them.^ 
Oif Ireland, a storm forced one of these to return ; but the fleet 
proceeded on its way along the parallel of 5° J The further 
they advanced the more they were carried to the north by the 
Gulf Stream. At length early in June Cabot sighted the east 
coast of Greenland.^ Fernandez having been the first to tell 
him in this country, he named it ' the Labrador's land.'^ 

In the hope of discovering an opening westward, Cabot first 
followed the coast towards the north. Graduallv the cold became 



1. Doc. XIa., p. 23. 

2. Doc. VI., p. 12. 

3. Doc. XIVa., p. 28. 

4. Docs. XXIXa., XXXIa. and LXIIa., pp. 99, 101 and 190. 

5. E. Arber, The first, three English Books on America, p. 161. 

6. Doc. XXX., pp. 99-100. 

7. Doc. XIVa., p. 28. 

8. Francisco Lopez da Gomara, Istoria de las Indias, Caraf?oza, 1552, 

fol. xx^': "cainino la buelta de Islandia sobre cabo del Labrador." Cf. F. 
Taiducci, Di niovanni e Scbastiano Caboto, etc., p. 112, Venezia, 1892. 

9. The iiisciiption on Greenlnd on the Wolfenbiittel map in Harrisse,. 
Jean et Sebaslicn Cabot, 18G. This map has been reproduced in the collec- 
tion published by Professor E. L. Stevenson of Rutgers College. 



INTRODUCTION ■' XIH 

more intense and the icebergs grew more numerous and mas- 
sive. It was also observed that the land trended back towards 
the east. For these reasons on 11 June, in latitude G7° 30', 
the crews mutinied and refused to proceed further in the direc- 
tion of the pole. Cabot had no alternative but to put his ships 
about and seek for an opening further south. ^ 

On reaching cape Farewell the ships were headed along 
the southwest coast of Greenland, which little bv little curves 
towards the north. Cabot appears to have navigated his ships 
up this west coast of Greenland as far as the present Sukker- 
toppen district in 66°, where further progress was checked by 
the icebergs that come down from Disko bay. Throughout 
its whole length this coast presents a series of precipitous and 
lofty headlands that arise at times to a height of 4,000 feet. 
On meeting these icebergs, Cabot altered his course to the west, 
and at length came in sight of Baffin's land, at that point 
distant from Greenland only 150 miles. 

Sailing southward along this coast, which is described as 
inountainous, rugged, bleak and barren, the explorer at length 
reached Hudson's strait, which hounds Baffin's land on the 
south." Proceeding down the coast of our modern Labrador, 
in Cabot's belief the Asiatic mainland, he must have been sur- 
prised and disappointed to find that the Indians had nothing 
better to offer for barter than furs and fish.^ 

Our strait of Belle-Isle was mistaken for an ordinary hay, 
and the eastern coast. of Iv ewfoundland for the continuation of 
the main shore already explored to the north. Cabot was much 
struck by ' the greate plentie of beares ' along this coast ' Avhicli 

1. Eamusio, op. cit. III., Venetia, 15561 fol. 4; " Signor Sebastian 

Gabotto mi diceva come essendo egli andato hingo la detta terra 

fino a gradi sessantasette & mezzo sotto il nostro polo, a' XI di Giugno 

pensava fermamente per quella via di poter passare alia volta del 

Cataio Orientale, & I'havrebbe fatto, se la malignita del padrone & de 
marinari sollevati non I'havessero fatto tornare a dietro"; ibid. vol. 
I., fol. 402^; and Gomara, loc. cit. 

2. Ruysch^s map in A. E. Nordenskiold, Fasim He- Atlas, plate XXXII., 
Stockholm, 1889. 

3. Arber, op. cit., 'oc. cit. 



xiv INTRODUCTION 

use to eate fysslie: for plimgoinge theym selves into tlie water 
where they perceve a multitude of these fysshes to lye, they 
fasten theyr clawes in theyr scales and so drawe them to lande 
and eat€ them.' ^ So plentiful were the cod in this region that 
according to Sebastian Cabot ' they sumtymes stayed his 
shippes.' ^ 

Rounding cape Race, or as they had named it on tlieir 
former voyage, England's cape, the explorers visited once more 
the regions discovered in the previous summer. They proceeded 
to make their way southward along the coast of our Nova 
Scotia and New England, perhaps in the hope of reaching 
Cipangu, then placed in the region of the equator. The 
absence of all trace of eastern civilization, as well as the low 
state of their stores, induced them, on reaching the parallel of 
38°, near Chesapeake bay, to bring their exploration to an end 
for that year.^ The ships were put aboiit and a course set for 
England, where they arrived safely late in the same autumn.* 

The reception accorded the Cabots must have been a cold 
one. On setting forth they had promised to bring home cargoes 
of spices and rich gems : on their return they had nothing 
to show but a few furs and the story of a barren land. The 
disappointment among the merchants Avho had advanced 
funds for this voyage appears to have been great since no fresh 
expedition left Bristol for three years, and the one sent out in 
1501 was not entrusted to the Cabots. 

Meanwhile the Portuguese had set about exploring these 
same coasts. On the island of Terceira, where Fernandez had 
his home, lived a nobleman named Gaspar Corte Real, who was 
so deeply interested in the discoveries then being made, that 
at his own expense he had set sail in search of new lands. On 

1. Ibid. 

2. Ibid. 

3. Gomara, op. cit., loc. cit. 

4. Docs. XIIa., XVa. and XXX. at pp. 26, 30 and 100; and Hakluyt, 
Divers Voyages, 23. 



INTRODUCTION XV 

12 May, 1500, King Manoel granted him the governorship 
of any country or island he should discover within the Portu- 
guese sphere of iniiuence.^ By the Treaty of Tordesillas con- 
cluded with Spain on 7 June, 14'94, Portugal had consented 
to limit her possessions in the west by a line running north 
qnd south 370 leagues beyond the Cape Verde islands.^ 

Sailing from Terceira in the spring of 1500, Corte Eeal 
set his course towards the northwest, and about the middle of 
Juno reached the east coast of Greenland. Like the Cabots, 
he first proceeded north, but at the end of June was obliged, 
as thoy had been, to come about and to head toAvards the south. 
Hounding cape Parewell, to which he gave the appropriate and 
sinister name of cape Get-sight-of-me-and-leave-me, Corte Real 
made his way up the south-west coast of Greenland. Several 
striking headlands ami other landmarks were named after his 
father, Joao Vaz Corte Real. ISTear ISTorth Strom fiord, in 
67° 30', the explorer again encountered icebergs, whereupon 
he put his ships about, and passing southward, set his course 
for Lisbon, where he arrived safely sometime in the same 
autumn.^ 

Corte Eeal reported to King Manoel that the country he 
had explored called Greenland or Labrador was so wrapped in 
snow and ice that he had been able to land in a very few 
places.* The natives were of medium height, and great 
archers, lived in rocky caves or thatched cottages, and clothed 
themselves in the skins of animals.^ A fresh expedition 
would, he hoped, produce results of more importance, and 

1. Doc. XVIIa., p. 35. 

2. M. F. de Navarrete, Coleccion de los viajes y descubrimientos, 2n{l 
edit., II., No. LXXV., p. 147, Madrid, 1859. 

3. Damian de Goes, Chronica do felicissimo Rei Bom Emanuel, part 1^, 
fol. 65, Lisboa, 1566; A. Galvano, The Discoveries of the World, 96-7. 
London (Hakluyt Society) 1862; and the Portuguese maps of the sixteenth 
century. 

4. The inscription on the Cantino map, published with the late Mr. 
Harrisse's Les Corte-Real, Paris, 1883. 

5. Damian de Goes, op. cit., loc cit. 



xyi IXTRODUCTION 

•J) reparations were accordingly begun to return thither in the 
following spring.^ 

Three vessels were fitted ont, and with these Corte Keal set 
sail from Lisbon on 15 May, 1501.^ When neariug cape Fare- 
well the ships ran into one of those packs of field-ice,^ which 
are carried down the east coast of Greenland by a current 
from the north. To clear this ice they altered their course to 
the westward. After sailing for some days in that direction, 
Corte Eeal sighted our modern Labrador, probably near cape 
Ifugford, in latitude 58°, where the coast rises to a height of 
over 3,000 feet.^ 

Seeing that towards the north the shore still rose in height 
while the whole region looked extremely barren and desolate, 
Corte Eeal concluded that this coast formed one with the land 
explored in the previous summer, and for that reason decided 
to follow it towards the south. ^ Up one of the many inlets 
with which Labrador is indented, perhaps Hamilton inlet, 
which they named the Doe's bay,® the Portuguese came upon a 
band of liasquapee Indians. Having been taught by the 
African slave-trade to look upon all natives as booty, Corte 
Real had some si^'ty of these Indians seized and stowed away 
under the hatches.' 

Continuing his course southward he mistook our strait of 
Belle-Isle for a bay, and also assumed that the east coast of 
Newfoundland formed the continuation of the main shore 
already explored to the north.* Eelle Isle was named Friar 

1. Ibid. 

2. Ibid. 

3. Doc. XXIIa., p. 63. 

4. The Cantiiio, Canerio, Reinel and Riccardiana maps in K. Kretsch- 

mer, A tins der Enldecl-ung Amerika's, Tafeln VIII. 1, and XXXIII. 

Berlin, 1892. 

5. Docs. XXIIa. and XXIIIa., pp. 63-4 and 66. 

6. The Reinel and Miller maps in Harrisse, Decouverte et evolution 
carfographiqne de Terre-Neuve, 74 and 86, planches V. and VII., Paris, 
1900. 

7. Docs. XXIIa. and XXIIIa., pp. 64 and 66. 

8. The Cantino, Canerio, Reinel, Miller, Riccardiana and Freire maps 
'Cf. Harrisse, op. cit., 238. N° 79. 



iKTRODrcTio>i xvii 

Lewis's island/ but cape Bonavista still retains the name given 
to it by Corte Real of caho de Boa Vista, or Fairview cape.^ 
Trinity bay received the name of St. Irene's bay, after a well- 
known Portuguese saint.^ Further to the south both Baccalieu 
island and Conception bay preserve the names given to them 
bv Graspar Corte Real. Ferryland was christened Farelhdo, 
or the Rocky Promontory, and our Fermeuse, rio Fermoso, or 
the Pretty river. Cape Race OAves its name either to its barren 
appearance (caho Bozo) or to its semblance to a cape of the 
same name at the mouth of the Tagus.* 

Rounding this great headland, Corte Real coasted along 
the southern shores of JSTewfoundland as far as Placentia bay, 
which he named the Big bay.^ He appears to have called St. 
Mary's bay between it and cape Race, the harbour of the 
Cross, because of a festival celebrated on 14 September.^ 

About this date in one of the harbours on the west side of 
Placentia bay, Corte Real took leave of his two consorts. While 
they made their way home to Lisbon, he wished to continue 
his exploration towards the south in order to ascertain the 
connexion between this great continent and the islands dis- 
covered near the equator by Christopher Columbus.'^ 

The two caravels having on board the Indians reached 
Lisbon in safety, the first on the 0th and tlie second on the 11th 

1. The Reinel, Miller, Ribero and Freire maps. Ribero's map has 
been well produced in .1. G. Kohl, Die beiden ditesten General-Karteri von 
Amerika, Weimar, 1860. 

2. The Viegas, Riccardiana, Poi'tngiiese Depot and Freire maps. Cf. 
Harrisse, op. cit. pp. 105, 108, 234 and 238. The Viegas map will also 
"be found in J. G. Kohl, History of the Discovery of Maine, 348, Portland, 
1869. 

3. The Reinel, Ribero, Viegas and Freire maps. 

4. The King, Reinel, Miller, Ribero, Viegas and Freire maps. The 
King map is reproduced in Nordenskiold's Periplus, N° XLV. 

5. The Riccardiana and Freire maps. 

6. The Miller map. From the Cantino, Canerio and King maps it 
seems clear that Gaspar Corte Real did not separate from his consorts 
until they had reached the south coast of Newfo\indland. 

7. Docs. XXIIa. and XXIIIa., pp. 64 and 67. 

4473— B 

B-16 



xviii INTRODUCTION 

of October. The return voyage had only occupied a month. ^ 
King Manoel was delighted at the discovery of this extensive 
country rich in shives and covered with timber, and hoped 
with such resources at his disposal to continue successfully 
his conquests in the East Indies." 

In the same summer of 1501 the merchants of Bristol sent 
out a fresh expedition to the west. By letters patent issued 
on 19 March, 1501, Henry VII. granted to Eichard Warde, 
Thomas Ashurst and John Thomas, of Bristol, together witli 
Joao and Francis Fernandez and Joao Gonzales, of the Azores, 
permission to undertake explorations in the west, with a mon- 
opoly of trade to the region discovered during ten years, and 
licence to enter one vessel at Bristol free of duty during four 
years.^ Under this authority an expedition was despatched 
from Bristol to the westward, but. what region it visited we 
do not know. Tlie sole record that has come down to us is an 
entry in the king's accounts under 1 January, 1502, of five 
pounds paid ' to the men of Bristol that founde the Isle.''* 
From this we gather that they may have revisited the south 
coast of ^Newfoundland first explored in 1497 by John Cabot. 

Meanwhile the autumn passed without anything being seen 
of Gaspar Corte Real. His exploration of the region to the 
west of Placentia bay had evidently been fraught with peril. 
In this belief, his brother Michael resolved to go in search of 
him, and on 15 January, 1502, King Manoel ratified Michael's 
claim to the country already explored by Gaspar.^ Three 
vessels were fitted out, and with these Michael set sail from 
Lisbon on 10 :\ray, 1502.^ 

On reaching Newfoundland in Juno, it wa'=; decided that 

1. Doc. XXIIa., p. 64. 

2. Doc. XXIIIa., p. 67. 

3. Doc. XXa., pp. 50-59. 

4. Doc. VI., p. 12. 

5. Doc. XXIVa., pp. 67-70. 

6. Damian de Goes, op. cit. loo cit. 



INTEODUCTION ixx 

each vessel should examine a separate part of the coast, with 
orders to meet at St. Johns on 20 August.^ One vessel appears 
to have .explored the region beyond Placentia bay, which 
was the point at which Gaspar had parted company with 
his two consorts. Chapeau Eouge, a conical hill which marks 
the western extremity of this bay, was named apparently the 
Pilot's cape,^ while to Langlade they gave the name of the 
Green island, in contrast to the barrenness of the opposite main- 
land.^ Cape La Hune, a notable landmark further westward, 
was christened cape Shallop,'* perhaps from the fact that they 
found here one of Gaspar's boats, l^ear Grand Bruit the 
Indians appear to have offered goods for barter, on which 
account the Portuguese named this highland, the Peddler's 
cape.^ 

Eounding cape Ray, to which they gave tlie appropriate 
name of cape Bend,° this vessel probably proceeded for a con- 
siderable distance up the west coast of ^Newfoundland. St. 
George's bay and river being found much more pleasant than 
any part of the south coast, received the name of the Pretty 
river.'^ This bay is separated from Port-au-Port bay by a 
narrow isthmus, in places less than one hundred yards 
in width, on which account they named Port-au-Port bay. 
Athwart bay.^ To the bay of Islands into which flows the 
largest river in Newfoundland, they gave the name of the 



1. Galvano, op. cit., 97. 

2. C. do Piloto on the Viegas and Eiccardiana maps. 

3. I. Verde on the Viegas and Eiccardiana maps. 

4. C. do Batell on the Viegas map. The b. do Baiell of the Eiccardiana 
atlas would thus be Hermitage bay. 

5. C. dos Mazcaios in the Eiccardiana atlas and c. do Mazcato on the 
Viegas map. 

6. C. da Volta on the Viegas and Eiccardiana maps. 

7. Rio Fremoso on the same maps. Cf. Lieut. E. Chappell, Voyage of 
H.M.S. "Rosamund" to Neipfoundland, 66 and 73-4, London, 1818; and 
J. B. Jukes, Excursions in and about N ewfoundland , I., 228, London, 1842. 

8. Rio du Travesa on the Viegas and Eiccardiana maps. 
4473-Bi 



XX INTRODUCTION 

Large river/ while Bonne bay, being only four miles in width, 
Avas named the Small bay." The coast hitherto high becomes 
at this point a flat shelving beach, which change is indicated 
on the old Portuguese maps by the inscription 'flat shore.'^ 
At St. Paul's bay they saw Indians, wherefore they called it, 
the Natives' river.^ They do not appear to have proceeded 
beyond Cow head, or as they named it, the cape of the Gulf,^ 
from which point they returned to the rendezvous at St. 
Johns. 

Here on 20 August, this vessel and one of the others met as 
agreed, but neither had seen a trace of Gaspar Corte Eeal. 
To make matters worse, Michael's ship was now missing. 
After waiting in vain for some time these two returned alone 
to Portugal." 

The same summer another expedition was also despatched 
from Bristol to ISTewfoundland, but what portion of the coast it 
visited we do not know. It returned in September with ' three 
men brought out of an Hand forre beyonde Irelond, the which 
were clothed in Beestes skynnes and ate raw fflessh and were 
rude in their demeanure as Beestes.'^ To Francis Fernandez 
and John Gonzales, now naturalized Englishmen, who evi- 
dently formed part of this expedition, Henry VII. on the 26th 
of the same month granted a pension of ten pounds eacli 
($600) ' in consideracion of the true service which they have 
doon unto us, oure shigler pleasure as Capitaignes into the 

1. Rio Comprido in the Riccardiana atlas. The Viegas map has Rio 
pria. 

2. B. Pequena in the Riccardiana atlas. 

3. Costa chd on the Viegas and Riccardiana maps. Cf. Harrisse, Dd- 
cout^erte et evolution cartographique, etc., 106, note 2; and Staff Com- 
mander W. F. Maxwell, The Neufoundland and Labrador Pilot, 503, Lon- 
don, 1897. 

4. R. das Poblas on the Viegas map. The Riccardion atlas, R. se 
Solhas. 

5. C. do Golfam in the Riccardiana atlas. 

6. Galvano, op. cit., loc. cit. 

7. Doc. XXX.. p. 100 



IJfTKODUCTION xxi 

new foimde lande ' ^ ; and four days later he gave a further 
sum of twenty pounds ' to the merchants of Bristol that have 
bene in the newe founde lande.' ^ It should be borne in mind 
of course that this expression then embraced a much wider 
extent of coast than that of our present l^ewfoundland.^ 

Fresh letters patent were issued on -9 December, 1502, 
enipoM'ering Fernandez, Gonzales, Ashurst and one Hugh 
Eliot of Bristol to undertake further explorations in the west 
on condition they did not enter any territory already in posses- 
sion, of the king of Portugal. They Avere granted a monopol}' 
of trade to the region explored for forty years, with permission 
to enter two vessels at Bristol free of duty during five years.'* 
Under these and the former letters patent of 19 March, 1501. 
which were still in force,'^ expeditions appear to have left 
Bristol both in 1503 and 1504; but unfortunately we are with- 
out information as to the region visited.^ 

We are also in ignorance of the region examined by the two 
ships ^;ent out by King Manoel in 1503 to look for the 
missing brothers, Gaspar and Michael Corte Real. This search 
which did not prove successful was doubtless limited to the 
coast explored by the Portuguese in 1501 and 1502.'^ As 
the two brothers were evidently lost, their rights were trans- 
ferred in September, 1506, to the third brother, Vasco Annes, 
who had assumed the debts incurred in fitting out the former 
expeditions.^ It may have been in connexion with these that 
in the following month a tax was imposed at Vianna on the 
cod brought to Portugal from the Banks of I^ewfonndland.^ 

1. Doc. XXVI., p. 91. ' 

2. Doc. VI., p. 12. 

3. Cf. Lescarbot, Histoire de la Nouvelle-Francc. Paris, 1618, p. 29: 
" sur la cote de la Terre neuve qui est baignee du grand Ocean jusques au 
quarantieme degre.'^ 

4. Doc. XXVa., pp. 81-91. 

5. Doc. XXa., pp. 50-59. 

6. Doc. VI., p. 12. 

7. Damian de Goes, op. cit., fol. 65'. 

8. Doc. XXVIIa., pp. 94-6. 

9. Doc. XXVIIIa., pp. 97-8. 



j^^ii IXTRODCCTIOX 

Althousi'li the Bretons may have visited the Banks even 
before tlip expeditions of the Cabots/ it was not nntil 1504 
that French fishing vessels proceeded as far as ISTewfoundland.- 
The harbonrs from cape Race to cape Bonavista being occnpied 
bj the fishermen from Portugal, the French were obliged to 
have recourse to those which lie from cape Race westward to 
cape Breton.^ In 1508 a ship called the Pensee, of Dieppe, 
showed the fishermen of Xormandy the way to the harbours 
north of cape Bonavista/ One of these !N"orman fishing ves- 
sels in the following year brought home to Rouen seven 
Indians and a canoe." 

Thus Spain remained the only country of western Europe 
whose subjects had not visited the region. In October, 1511, 
King Ferdinand concluded an agreement with a certain Juan 
de Agramonte for a voyage of discovery to ISTewfoundland.*' 
Although this compact was ratified by Queen Joanna/ no 
record exists to show that the expedition, which was to be 
piloted by Bretons, ever set sail from Santander. 

During the next decade the Breton, Portuguese, English 
and French fishermen appear to have continued their yearly 
expeditions to the Banks,^ but it was not until 1520 that a 
fresh exploration was made of this region. In that year Joao 
Alvares Fagundes, of Vianna, the fisherman of Avhich toAvn had 
long visited the Banks, applied for and received a grant of the 
lands or islands he should discover within the Portuguese 
sphere of influence.® Setting sail from Vianna, perhaps with the 

1. Doc. XXXVI., p. 119. Vid. also Ch. de La Eonciere, Histoire de la 
marine franfaise, II., 399-400. Paris, 1900. 

2. Ramusio, op. cit.. III., 423^. 

3. Ibid. 

4. Ibid. 

5. Eusebii ctesaricnsis episcopi, Chronicon, etc. fol. 172'. Paris, 1-512, 
and reprinted in Harrisse, op. cit., 162-3. 

6. Doc. XXXIIa., pp. 107-11. 

7. Doc. XXXIIIa.. pp. 113-15. 

8. Docs. XXXV-VIIIa., pp. 116-27. 

9. Cf. p. XV. supra. 



INTKODUCTION xxiii 

annual fishing fleet, he appears to have explored the coast from 
JSTova Scotia as far as Placentia bay in Newfonndland. 

On sighting onr i^ova Scotia, probably about the middle 
of Jnne, he gave to Chedabncto bay the name of Freshwater 
bay, doubtless for the reason that a fresh supply was obtained 
there. ^ Along the coast of Cape Breton island Fagnndes 
met the fishermen from Brittany, after whom the most east- 
erly point of that island has always borne the name of cape 
Breton." Continuing his way along that coast, Fagundes, 
on 20 June seems to have named Sydney harbour, St. Peter 
and St. Paul river," while St. Anne bay, the opening beyond 
Bras d'Or, was christened perhaps on 5 July the river of St. 
James.'* Along this coast the explorer appears to have caught 
sight of Indians ; for many of the old maps l^ear the legend, 
■^ Region of many people.' '"' Pushing northward, Fagundes 
arrived at length at Cape I^Torth, the northeastern extremity 
of Cape Breton island, which on account of its height he named 
the Thick or Big cape.^ 

1. Doc. XXXIX., p. 128: " aas tres ilhas na baya d'Auguoada, na costa 
de nordeste e sudueste." These would be Madame, Petit Degrat and Janvrin 
islands. Fresh water can be obtained in Salmon river. This region is 
assribed to Fagundes on the Lazaro Luiz atlas of 1563, while the Diogo 
Homem map of 1568 gives an /. Fagunda as well as a C. Fagunda at this 
point. Cf. E. A. de Bettencourt, Descobrimentos, guerras e conquistas dos 
Portuguezes em terras do uUramar nos seculos XV e XVI., appendix, 
Lisboa, 1881-2 ; Hantzsch und Schmidt, Kartographische Denkmaler zur 
Entdeckungsgeschichte von Amerika, Tafeln VIII, and X., Leipzig, 1903; 
Harrisse, op. cit., 233-4 and 282-3; and F. Kunstmann, Atlas zur Entdec- 
kungsgeschichte Amerikas, Blatt XI., Miinchen, 1859. 

2. Cf. the inscription on the Kunstmann N° IV. map: Terra q foy 
descuherta por bertomes. The name is given on the Miller, Maggiolo, 
Ferdinand Columbus, Eibero, Verrazano, Viegas, Riccardiana, Desliens, 
Harleian, Desceliers, Freire, Vallard, Homem, Mercator, Vaz Dourado, etc., 
maps. 

3. The Miller, Maggiolo, Viegas and Riccardiana maps. 

4. R. de Samtiago on the Miller and Maggiolo maps. 

5. Terra de muyta gemte on the same maps. Cf. also the Viegas and 
Riccardiana maps. 

6. 0. Gordo on the Miller map: c. Grosso on the Maggiolo and Freire 
maps, and c. Grueso on the Gutierrez map. Cf. also Oviedo, op. cit., loo. 
■cit. Cape North is some 1,000 feet in height. 



INTRODUCTJOX 



The soul hern entrance of the gulf of St. Lawrence was 
mistaken for a bay, and is so represented on most of the early 
Portuguese maps.^ To cape Eay, which is a lofty headland, 
Fagundes gave the name of the Beautiful cape.^ ]\laking 
his way along the south coast of IS'ewfoundland, he named an 
opening which appears to have been La Poile bay, the bay of 
Islands.^ St. Pierre, Miquelon and Langlade were christened 
the Eleven Thousand Virgins,"' and to Chapeau Rouge, which 
marks the entrance to Placentia bay, Fagundes gave the same 
name.^ As this festival falls on 21 October, it must have 
been late in the autumn when the explorer reached Placentia 
bay, whence he set sail for Portugal. 

Li the course of the winter Fagundes appeared before King 
Manoel, and supported by credible witnesses proved his title 
to the islands from Chedabucto to Placentia bays. By letters 
patent issued on 13 March, 1521, these islands were made over 
to him.*^ This grant in no way infringed the rights of the 
Corte Reals, which King John III., on ascending the throne, 
renewed to Vasco Amies Corte Real on 17 September, 1522.'^ 
Fagundes was never able to take advantage of his grant, and at 



1. The Eeinel, Kunstmann Nos. IV. and VII., Miller, Viegas, Eiccar- 
diaiia, and Freire maps. Cf. also Santa-Criiz's Islario general, infra p. 186: 
" Passadas las islas de las Honze mill Virgines [St. Pierre and Miquelon] 
haze la mar una muy gran ensenada Ilamada baya de Bretones:" and 
Oviedo, op. cit., loc. cit. : " Pero ntes de dicho rio esta un embocaraiento, 
desde el mesmo Cabo Gruesso adelante, qxie tiene de traviessa veynte 
leguas ", etc. 

2. C. Fremoso on the Miller and Maggiolo maps. 

3. R. das Ylhns on the Miller map. The C. das lUias of the Freire 
map would then be Grand Bruit. 

4. The Miller, Maggiolo, Viegas and Freire maps. Cf. also Sauta- 
Cruz, op. cit. infra p. 186 : " Passada la baya [de Canta Maria] estan tres 
yslas, eomo oasi en triangulo, de hasta ocho leguas de largo cada una, con 
ostros iseos a la rredonda, las quales se llaman las Onze mill Virgines"; 
and Oviedo, op. cit., II., 149. 

5. The Miller and Freire maps. These as well as the Maggiolo and 
Ribero maps give to cape La Hune the name of St. Paul's cape. 

6. Doc. XXXIXa., pp. 129-31. 

7. Doc. XLIIIa., pp. 144-5. 



I^NTRODUCTION XXV 

his deatli left many debts incurred in fitting- out the above 
expedition/ 

Cardinal Wolsej, in the spring of 1521, wished to despatch 
five ships on ' a viage into the Newfound Hand/ " but the City 
Companies being unwilling to help, nothing was done nntil 
1527. Meanwhile the English fishermen as well as those of 
France continued their yearly voyages to the Banks,^ and in 
August, 1522, a man-of-war was ordered to the mouth of the 
Channel to protect ' the commyng home of the new found Isle- 
la ndes flete.' ■* Giovanni da Yerrazano having explored the 
Atlantic seaboard from Florida northward for Francis I. in 
1524, ' approached to the lande that in times past was discov- 
ered by the Britons,' whence ' being furnished with water and 
wood,' he returned to Dieppe.^ 

• A , Spanish vessel was sent to explore this region in the 
winter of 1524-5, Stephen Gomez, the commander, M^as by 
birtli a Portuguese, and in his youth had probably come in con- 
tact with the fisliermen of Vianna who yearly sailed to the 
Banks. With the fleets from Lisban he had also visited the 
East Indies.^ Hoping to better his condition he, like Magel- 
lan, entered the service of Spain; but while Magellan Avas 
given command of the fleet sent in search of a new route to the 
East, Gomez had to content himself with the modest post of 

1. Boletim da Sociedade de Geographia de Lisboa, No. 3, Lisboa, 1878, 
pp. 170-1 : " e depois de estar o dito testamento feito foi descobrir a Terra 
Nova, en que fez inuita despeza e tomou dinheiro emprestado, do que 
ficavam muitas dividas." 

2. Doc. XLI., pp. 134-42. 

3. Docs. XXXVIIa,, XaaVIlA. and LI.-LVIa., pp. 124-27 and 159-65. 
Cf. also A nexD interlude and a mery of the nature of the IIII elementes, 
etc., in Arber, op. cit., p. xxi: 

" Fyshe they have so great plente 
That in havyns take and slayne they be 
With stavys withouten fayle 

Nowe frenchemen aM other have founden the trade 
That yerely of fyshe there they lade 
Above an C. [100] sayle." 

4. Doc. XLII., pp. 142-3. 

5. Hakluyt, op. cit., sign. B 3^ and 4. Cf. Appendix A, No. 6, pp. 200. 

6. Gomara, op. cit. loc. cit. : " avia navegado algunas vezes a las 
Indias." Cf. J. T. Medina, El Portugues Esteban Gomez al servicio de 
Espana, p. 146. Santiago de Chile, 1908, and S. E. Dawson The Saint 
Lawrence Basin, ch. VIII., London, 1905. 



xxvi INTRODUCTIOA- 

pilot of tlio flao'ship. lie was not sorry, therefore, when in 
October, 1520, at the entrance to tlie strait of Magellan the 
crew of the St. Anfliony, to which he had been transferred, 
mutinied, and putting the captain in irons, set sail for Spain.^ 
Gomez lost no time in petitioning for a fleet wath which to 
seek between Newfoundland and Florida for a passage to the 
East. By an agreement executed on 27 March, 1523, Charles 
V. consented to furnish him with a caravel of fifty tons pro- 
visioned for one year.^ Sebastian Cabot, who was then pre- 
paring to set sail on his expedition to the- Moluccas, approved 
of Gomez's plan,^ by which it was hoped many islands would 
be discovered ' rich in gold and silver, spices and drugs.' ^ The 
caravel for Gomez was made ready at Corunna, -which town 
and district were ordered by the emperor to provide the ship 
with all necessary supplies.^ 

Setting sail from Corunna on 3 August, 1524,® Gomez 
reached jSTewfoundland probably in September, but having 
been forbidden to enter any territory in possession of the king 
of Portugal,"^ appears to have sailed westward to Cape Breton 
island, which he coasted towards the south. Our Bras d'Or, 
on account of its double entrance was christened the ' river 
with tw^o mouths.' ^ Being ignorant of the fact that Canso 
Gut w'as a passage between ISTova Scotia and Cape 
Breton, Gomez gave to Chedabucto bay, leading to this 
Gut, the name of the ' bay with the Cove.' ® Continuing 

1. A Pigafetta, Magellan's Voyage around the World, edit, by J. A. 
Robertson, vol. I., pp. 68-9. Cleveland, 1906. 

2. Docs. XLIVa.-XLVa., pp. 147-52. 

3. A. de Herrera, Historia general de los hechos de los Castellayios, 
etc., Dec. III., lib. IV., Madrid, 1730, p. 144: " porque Sebastian Gaboto, 
Capitan del Rei i Piloto Maior, tambien tenian opinion, que bavia mnchas 
Islas por descubrir cerca de los Malucos." 

4. Doc. XLIVa., p. 148. « 

5. Docs. XLVIIa.-XLIXa., pp. 154-58. Cf. Herrera. op. cit., pp. 143-4: 
" Concluido este Asiento, niando el Rei dar sus Cedulas, para que en el, 
Senorio de Vizcaya, i qiiatro Villas de la Costa de la Mar, se diese todo 
favor, en el armar de este Navio," etc. 

6. P. Martyr, Opus epistolarum. fol. CXCIIIv. Letter No. DCCCIIII. 
Compluti, 1530 ; Oviedo, De la natural hijstoria de las Indias, fol. XIV^ 
Toledo. 1526; and Medina, op. cit., 93. 

7. Doc. XLIVa., p. 148. 

8. Bio de Dos Bocas, in Oviedo, Eistnrla general y natural de las 
Indias, II., 148. Madrid, 18.52. 

9. Bahia de la Ensenada which Oviedo (Historia general, etc., II., 
148) states was ten leagues wide. Chedabucto bay is 17 miles in width. 



INTEODUCTION XXVli 

liis exploration southwards be named two openings on the 
•coast of Nova Scotia which appear to have been our Ship and 
Halifax harbours, Chestnut-grove river^ and the river of 
Mountains.^ 

Rounding cape Sable, the reefs off which are indicated on 
the maps of the time,^ Gomez penetrated into the bay of Tundy. 
The further he advanced the more he became convinced that 
this was the strait of which he was in search. Great therefore 
was his disappointment on reaching the head of the bay. He 
named it Doe river,^ on account, no doubt, of the deer seen 
along its shores. 

Passing south outside of Grand Manan island, which ho 
mistook for the main shore, Gomez named its southwest head 
tlie cape of IMany Islands.^ Making his way southward along 
the coast of the mainland ho gave to Schoodic i)oint, probablv 
on ISTcw Year's Day, 1525,^ the name of ca]-)e St. Marv.^ 
The numerous islands that fill Frenchman and Penobscot bays 
were christened Stephen Gomez's archipelago,^ while Pena- 
quid ])oint, on account of its reefs, was called Reef point.'' 
To Sheepscat river he ajipeavs to have given the name of the 
Dry river. ^" Just beside it is the Kennebec, but since the 



1. Rio cle Castaiiar in Oviedo, loc. cit. The name is also given on the 
Ferdinand Columbus map. 

2. Rio de Montanas in Oviedo, loc. cit. The name is also given on the 
Ribero map. 

3. The Ribero and Santa-Cruz maps have arecifes at this point. The 
medanos or sand banks mentioned by Oviedo, op. cit., II., 148, appear to 
have existed formerly (1857) to the north of cape Sable. 

4. Oviedo, op. cit., II. 147: "Desde el Cabo de Muchas Islas hasta la 
punta 6 cabo que tiene el rio de las Gamas al Leste, hay veynte leguas de 
mar, e todo aquello es entrada 6 embocamiento 6 bahia del dicho rio." Cf. 
also Santa-Cruz's map in Harrisse, Discovery of North America, plate 
XI., p. 241; and those in J. G. Kohl, History of the Discovery of Maine, p. 
315, N° XVII. 

5. Cabo de Muchas Islas in Oviedo, loc. cit., and on the maps men- 
tioned in the above note. 

6. Harrisse, Decoiiverte, etc., planche X., p. 90: Tierra que descubrio 
Estevam Gomez este ano de 1525; and Riberi's map. 

7. Cabo de Sancta Maria in Oviedo, op. cit., 147. 

8. Oviedo, op. cit., II. 146-7: "Desde el Cabo de Arregifes hasta el 
Cabo de Sancta Maria hay veynte leguas, y todo la, que hay en medio es 
un ancon 6 ensenada lleno de islas, lo qual todo llama la carta moderna 
arpipielago," etc. The name appears on the Henri II. map in Kohl, op. 
cit. p. 351, No. XVIII. Cf. Verrazano's Relation in Hakluyt, op. cit., loc. 
cit. 

9. Cabo de A7-recifcs in Oviedo, op. cit., II., 146. 



XXVI 11 



INTRODUCTION 



niourli of the latter lies hidden among the islands, it escaped 
detection. On 18 February, Casco bay was christened John 
the l^aptist's bay.^ Still hngging the shore Gomez proceeded 
sonthward, and on 25 March, gave to Saco river the name of 
Good Mother river, in commemoration of the Virgin's Concep- 
tion." Three days later he named the Merrimac, St. Anthony's 
river."^ Boston bay received, probably on 14 April, the name 
of St. Christopher's bay."* Continuing his way sonthward 
Gomez found himself inclosed in the hook of Cape Cod, to 
wliich cape he gave the name of cape St. James,^ which festival 
falls on the first of May. 

Gomez in the course of his exploration of the gulf of Maine 
had taken prisoner a nundier of Indians.^ In what way this 
was done we are not informed. On account of the extra 
demand upon the stores which their presence entailed, and of 
the absence of any indication of a passage to the East, it was 
determined to forego further exploration of the coast and to 
set a direct course for Cuba. 

Rounding cape Cod, Gomez gave to the island of J^an- 
tueket, which is surrounded with shoals to a distance of nearly 
forty miles, the name of the cape of Shoals, by wliicli it con- 
tinued to be designated throughout the whole of the s;ixteontli 
century.' 

Having obtained fresh provisions at Santiago in Cuba,^ 

1. Bahia de Sanct Johan Baptista, ibid. 

2. Rio de Bueria Madre, ibid. 

3. Rio de Sanct Antonio, ibid. 

4. Bahia de Sanct Chripstohal, ibid. Aviedo appears to give this 
name to Cape Cod bay but on the map in Santa-Cruz's Islario General 
reproduced in Harrisse's Discovery of North America, p. 241, Plate XI., 
and in his Bdcouverte et h)oluiion cartographique de Tcrre-Neure. p. 88. 
planche IX., the name is written near Boston bay. 

5. Cabo de Sanctiago, in Oviedo, loc. cit. 

6. Gomara loc. cit.: " tomo quantos indios pudieron caber en la 
caravela y traxo se los contra la ley, y voluntad del rey." Cf. Herrera, op. 
cit., Dec. III., lib. VIII. cap. VIII., p. 241. 

7. Kohl op. cit., plate XVII., p. 315; and Harrisse, op. cit., loc. cit. 
Cf. also Oviedo, loc. cit. 

8. Herrera, loc. cit.: " fue a dar al Puerto de Santiago, adonde se 
refrosc6 y le regal6 Andres de Duero," etc. 



INTRODUCTION XXix 

Gomez sailed for Corunna, whicli lie reached in safetv some 
ten months after leaving Spain, that is to say in June, 1525.^ 
As the caraval entered the harbour a sailor called out that they 
had slaves, in Spanish, esdavos. A bystander understood 
him to jiay cJavos (spices), and posting to court informed the 
emperor that Gomez had brought home spices. This announce- 
ment gave great pleasure until the truth became known, when 
the emperor was much displeased.^ Oviedo saw Gomez's 
Indians at Toledo. ' They are great archers,' he wrote, ' and 
go covered with the skinnes of dyvers beasts both wylde and 
tame. In their lande are many excellent furres as martens, 
sables and such other rvch furres, of the which the sayde pilote 
Gomes brought summe with him into Spayne.' ^ 

Two years later our Atlantic seaboard was again explored 
by a vessel sent out from England. In 1521 Henry VIII. had 
tried to induce the Livery Companies of London to aid him in 
fitting out five ships ' for a viage to be made into the newefound 
Hand ' ^ ; and although he ' spak sharpely to the maire to see 
it putt in execucion to the best of his power,' his efforts were 
not crowned with success until the year 1527. In the spring 
of that year two vessels, the Samson and the Mary Guildford, 
were fitted out at London to seek for a passage to the east by 
way of Davis strait. Leaving London on 10 May, they finally 
set sail from Plymouth on 10 June. Three weeks later, on 
1 July, in latitude 53°, the vessels during a bad storm became 
separated, and the Samson must have foundered, for she was 
never heard of more.^ 

The Mary Guildford weathered the storm, but two days 
later fell in with the icebergs brought down Davis strait by a 

1. Gomara loc. cit.: " se bolvio a la Coruna dentro de diez messes;" 
and Herrera, loc. cit. 

2. Gomara, loc. cit.; Herrera loc. cit. 

3. E. Arber, op. cit., 242. 

4. Doc. XLI., pp. 135 and 138. 

5. R. Purcbas. His Pilgrimes, pt. III., p. 809, London, 1625. 



IXTKODUCTION 



current from the polar seas. ' Then,' wrote the captain to King 
Henry VIII., ' we durst not goe no further to the ISTorthward 
for feare of more Ice, and we cast about to the southward, and 
within foure dayes after we had one liundred and sixtie fathom, 
and then we came into 52 degrees and fell in with the mayne 
Land ' of Labrador. Follow-ing this coast to the southward, 
they entered an opening on 21 July, which was prohahly our 
Alexis river. Here they found ' a good harl^our, and many 
small Hands, and a great fresh River going up farre into the 
]\rayne Land.' The latter w-as ' all wildernesse and mountaiues 
and woods, and no naturall ground but all mosse and no inhabi- 
tation nor no people.' In the woods they discovered ' footing 
of divers great bea-^tcs, but saw none, not in ten leagues.' In 
this harbour the^^ spent ten days refitting, fis-hing, and taking 
on board w^ood and fresh w-ater. 

Setting sail again at the end of July, they '' on tlie third 
of August entered into a good Haven, called St. John, 
where we found eleven saile of Xormans and one Brittaine 
and two Portugal Barkes, and all a fishing.' Obtaining no 
news of the fate of the Samson, the Mary Guildford proceeded 
southward in the vain hope of meeting her consort.^ In 
the course of lier voyage along our Atlantic seaboard, her pilot, 
an Italian, who may liave been Verrazano, was killed in a 
skirmish with the Indians.^ 

It would apjiear that about the middle of November this 
ship reached Porto Rico, in the West Indies, having made her 
way hither from Newfoundland. From the captain of a Span- 
ish caraval that w^as loading cassava at the island of Mona, 
which lie^ half-way between Porto Rico and St. Domingo, 
infprmafi6n"wa!=C obtained of the condition of Sau Domingo. 



1. Purchas, loc. cit. 

2. Doc. LVIIa., p. 167. Cf. Eamusio, op. cit. III., 417^: " et nell' 
ultimo viaggio, che esto fece, havendo volute smontar in terra con alcuni 
compagni, fiirono tiitti morti da quei popol & in presentia di coloro, che 
erano rimasi nelle navi, furono arrostiti & mangiati"; and La Konciere, 
op. cit. III., 267. 



INTRODUCTION XXxi 

Setting sail from Mona on Thuri^day, 21 Xovember, the Marif 
Guildford arrived off San Domingo on Monday afternoon, 25 
jSTovember. A boat was at once sent on shore to ask for permis- 
sion to enter the harbour and obtain fresh provisions. The 
authorities acceded to this request, and sent two pilots to bring 
the vessel into the river Ozama, the only harbour of wdiich the 
t(nvn could boast. On Tuesday, 26 ]S[ovember, the Mary 
(hiildford sailed to the mouth of the river, but was prevented 
by a north wind from entering the harbour. ISTo sooner had 
she cast anchor than a shot was fired at her from the fort. 
Surprised at this reception, she at once put to sea/ but we do 
not know when she reached England.^ 

From 1527 until Cartier's exploration of the gulf of St. 
Lawrence in 153-4, fishing-vesesls continued each summer to 
make annual fishing voyages to our coasts,^ but no record has 
come down to us of any fresh exploration of our shores or 
of any attempt to seek in those latitudes a passage to the East. 
Jacques Cartier was the explorer who next attempted to find 
such a passage, and although he was unsuccessful, his explora- 
tion resulted in the discovery of the gulf and river St. Law- 
rence and of the vast extent of territory stretching from the 
strait of Belle-Isle to the rapids of L'l chine. 

1. Doc. LVIIIa., pp. 173-4. 

2. Hakluyt Principall Navigaiions, 1589, p. 517; and Augmentation 
office. Misc. Bks. 317, No. 6138 (3), fols. 50 and 51^ in the Eecord office. 

3. Doc. LIXa-LX. pp. 179-82. 




DOCUMENTS. 
I. 



\^ SEP U 1911 J 



29 March, 1476. 



LETTERS OF NATURALIZATION ACCORDED TO JOHN CABOT 
AT VENICE. 

MCCCCLXXVI die xxviiii Martii. 

Consiliarii. Quod fiat privilegium civilitatis de intus et extra 
Joanni Caboto per liabitationem annorum XV 
juxta consuetum. 
de parte — 149. 
de non — ; non sine. — O. 

From the Archivio di State at' Venice, Senate, Terra, 
Registro VII., 1473-1477, fol. 109 verso : printed as 28 March 
in S. Eomanin, Storia documentata di Venezia, IV., 453, 
Venezia, 1858 : C. Barrera Pezzi, Di Giovanni Cabotto rivela- 
tore del settentrionale emisfero d' America, 18, note 1, Venezia, 
1881 ; H. Harrisse, Jean et Sehastien Cahot, 309, Paris, 1882 ; 
F. Tarducci, John ayid Sebastian Cabot, 2, note 1, Detroit, 
1893 ; Raccolta di Documenti e Studi pubblicati dalla Reale 
Commissione Colomhiana, parte V., vol. II., p. 216, Roma, 
1894; Harrisse, John Cahot and Sebastian his Son, 387, 
London, 1896; G. E. Weare, Cabot's Discovery of North 
America, 70, note 2, London, 1897; and C. R. Beazley, John 
and Sebastian Cahot, 205-6, London, 1898. 

Ia. 

1476 on the 29th day of March. 

That a privilege of citizenship, both internal and external, be 
made out for John Cabot after fifteen years' residence, as usual. 

Ayes, 149. 

Noes, 0. N^eutrals, 0. 

Also translated in Rawdon Brown, Calendar of State 
Papers and Manuscripts relating to English affairs existing in 
the Archives and Collections of Venice, &c., 136, !N^o. 453, 
London, 1864; Harrisse, op. cit., loc. cit. ; Weare, loc. cit. ; and 
Beazley, op, cit., 34. 

4473—1 



CANADIAN ARCHIVES 
II. 



14Y2-1498. 



THE FORM OF THE LETTERS OF NATURALIZATION. 

Privilegium civilitatis de intus et extra per habitationem 
annorum xv. Aluisii Fontana dim de Pergamo. 

JSTicolaus Tronus Dei gratia Dux Venetiarum, etc. TJni- 
versis et singulis tarn amicis quam fidelibus, et tarn praesentibus 
quam futuris, presens privilegium inspecturis, salutem et sin- 
cere dilectionis affectum: 

Notum vobis fieri volumus per praesentem paginam, quod 
cum inter cetera, que in mente nostra revolvimus, attendamus 
precipue nostrorum subditorum et fidelium devotorum tractare 
propensius comoda et utilia salubriter procurare. Cum hoc 
Excellentie nostre decus aspiciat, et fidelium devotio utilius 
per tractata in nostrae, fidelitatis et devotionis constantia 
ferventius solidetur. Duximus volentes beneficia recompensare 
pro meritis statuendum: 

Quod quicumque annis xv vel inde supra, Venetiis con- 
tinue habitasset ; f actiones et onera nostri domini j ipso tempore 
subeundo, a modo civis et Venetus noster esset ; et Citadinatus 
Venetiarum privilegio et alijs beneficiis, libertatibus et immun- 
itatibus quibus alij Veneti et cives nostri utuntur et gaudent 
perpetuo et ubilibet congauderet. Unde cum providus vir, 
Aluisius Fontana, olim de Pergamo, nunc habitator Venetiarum 
in contrata Sancti Juliani, sicut legitimis et manifestis proba- 
tionibus per provisores nostri Comunis diligenter examinatis, 
nobis innotuit annis xv Venetiis continuam babitationem 
habuerit, erga nos et ducatum nostrum, fideliter et laudabiliter 
sub devotionis integritate se gerens et subiens continue f actiones 
et onera nostri domini j, digna remuneratione prosequentes, 
eundem ipsum Aluisium Fontana consiliorum et ordinamen- 
torum nostrorum, necessaria solemnitate servata, in venetum 
et civem nostrum de intus et extra recepimus atque et recipi- 
mus, et Venetum et civem nostrum, de intus et extra, fecimus 
et facimus, et pro Veneto et cive nostro in Venetiis et extra, 
habere et tractare, ac haberi volumus, et ubique tractari. Ita 
quod singulis libertatibus, beneficis et immunitatibus, quibus 
alii veneti et cives nostri de intus et extra utuntur et gaudent, 
idem Aluisius in Venetijs et extra, libere gaudeat de cetero et 
utatur. Intelligendo, quod per mare, et in fontico theotoni- 
corum, seu cum theotonicis, mercari, sen mercari facere non 
possit, nisi de tanto quanto fecerit imprestita nostro dominio 



PEECUESOES OF CAETIEE 3 

in anno. In cuius rei fidem et evidentiam pleniorem, presens 
privilegium fieri jussimus et bulla nostra plumbea pendente 
muniri. Datum in nostro ducale Palatio, Anno domini incar- 
nationis, millesimo quadringentesimo septuagesimo secundo, 
mensis Augusti die undecimo, indictione quinta. 

Simile priviletium factum fuit provide viro Johanni Jacobi, 
qui fuit de Pensauro, nunc habitatori Venetiarum, tempore 
Serenissimi principis domini Nicolai Marcelli, Incliti ducis 
Venetiarum etc, sub bulla plumbea, MCCCCLXXIII, mensis 
Octubris die xxiii, Indictione VII. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit provido viro Martino Figini, 
qui fuit de Mediolano, habitatori Venetiarum tempore Seren- 
issimi Principis domini Nicolai Marcello, MCCCCLXXIIII, 
die quarto Julii, Indictione VII. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit provido viro Martino Frigini, 
Gulielmi Calderario de Columbis, qui fuit de Balabio districtus 
Mediolani, habitatori Venetiarum -tempore Serenissimi Prin- 
cipis domini Petri Mocenigo, sub bulla plimibea, 
]\ICCCCLXXV, mensi Maii die quinto, Indictione octava. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit provido viro Joanni Bar- 
tholomei de Brixia, habitatori Venetiarum tempore Serenissimi 
Principis domini Mcolai Marcello, MCCCCLXXIIII, die 
xvii Maii, Indictione VII. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit probo et prudenti viro 
Joanni petro de Turco, qui fuit de ITavaria, habitatori Vene- 
tiarum tempore Serenissimi Principis Domini Joannis 
Mocenigo, die xxii*^" Augusti, 1480. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit Bartholomeo Antonii 
Casarolo, die xviii augusti, 1481. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit Bernardo Bartholomei de 
Pergamo, die 28 septembris, 1484. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit Zacharie de panti de lodi, 
die 28 septembris, 1484. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit Benedict© Lancelloti fon- 
tana, die 28 septembris, 1484. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit Joanni Sebastiono et Stefano, 
fratribus, die 28 septembris, 1484. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit Raphaeli quondam Antoni 
de ardiconibus, die 12 februarii, 1484. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit M. Stefano !Nicolai Aurifici, 
bulla aurea, die 26 februarii, 1484. 

Simile privilegium factum fuit Joanni Caboto sub ducc 
suprascripto, 14Y6. 

4473-li 



4 CANADIAN AKOIIIVES 

Simile privilegiiim factum fuit Dominico Joanni de la 
Cisio sub die xviii jamiiiari, 1498, etc. 

From the Ai'chivio di Stato at Venice, Libro privilegi, 
II, 53. The above copy was most kindly collated with the 
original by my friend, Dr. J. Plattard, and by Mr. Horatio F. 
Brown, of Venice. Printed in C. Biillo, La vera imtria di 
Nicolo de' Conti e di Giovanni Cahoto, 59-60 Chioggia, 1880 ; 
and more fully in Harrisse, op. cit., 309-12 ; and in Tarducci, 
op. cit., 315-7. 

IIa. 

Privilege of citizenship, internal and external, after 
fifteen years' residence. Aloysio Fontana, formerly of Ber- 
gamo. 

Niccolo Trono, by the grace of God, Doge of Venice, etc. 
To all and singular our friends and lieges, present and future, 
who shall see the present privilege, greeting and proof of sincere 
friendship : 

By these presents we desire to make known to you that 
among the other thoughts which fill our mind, we aim princi- 
pally to procure what is especially advantageous and useful in 
a wholesome way to our subjects and devoted lieges. As this 
is one of the duties of our august office, and as our acts 
strengthen our subjects in their faithful and devoted attach- 
ment towards us, we, wishing to reward merit according to its 
deserts, have thought good to decree: 

That since whoever has resided in Venice continuously for 
fifteen years or more, and during that period has fulfilled the 
duties and borne the charges of our govermnent, is to be hence- 
forward a citizen and one of our Venetians, and is to enjoy for- 
ever and everywhere the rights, liberties and immunities exer- 
cised and enjoyed by the other Venetians, our citizens : wherefore 
as the prudent man, Aloysio Fontana, formerly of Bergamo, 
now a resident in St. Julian street, Venice, has notified us by 
proper andi clear proofs which have been carefully verified 
by the magistrates of our municipality, that he has inhabited 
Venice continuously during fifteen years, conducting himself 
towards us and our duchy faithfully and worthily, with whole- 
hearted devotion, and submitting regularly to the duties and 
charges of our government, things worthy of reward, we have 
received and receive the said Aloysio Fontana, the proper 
formality having been observed, as a Venetian and our citizen 
within and without, and have created and create him a Vene- 



PRECUESOKS OF CARTIER 5 

tian and our citizen within and without, and desire him to be 
and act and be held and treated as a Venetian and our citizen 
in Venice and without, everywhere, in such a manner that the 
said Aloysio may for the rest freely enjoy and make use of all 
the liberties, rights and immunities that the other Venetians, 
our citizens, have and enjoy within and without, it being under- 
stood that he cannot himself trade or carry on trade through 
others by sea or in the German warehouse or with Germans, 
unless he has given security for this to our government within 
the year. In witness and more complete evidence whereof we 
have caused the present privilege to be drawn up, and our 
leaden seal to be affixed thereto. Given in our ducal Palace 
on 11 August in the year of our Lord's incarnation 14Y2, 
Tndiction V. 

A similar privilege was granted to the prudent man, 
Giovanni, the son of Giacomo, formerly of Pesaro, now an 
inhabitant of Venice, in the time of the Most Serene Liege 
Lord Nicolas Marcello, Illustrious Doge of Venice, etc., under 
a leaden seal on 23 October, 1473, Indiction VII. 

A similar privilege was granted to the prudent man,, 
Martino Figinis, formerly of Milan, inhabitant of Venice in 
the time of the Most Serene Liege Lord Nicolas Marcello, on 
4 July, 1474, Indiction VIL 

A similar privilege was granted to the prudent man, 
Antonio, son of Gulielmo, boilermaker of Colombi, formerly 
of Balabio, a district of Milan, inhabitant of Venice in the 
time of the Most Serene Liege Lord Pietro Mocenigo, under a 
leaden bull, on 5 May, 1475, Indiction VIII. 

A similar privilege was granted to the prudent man, 
Giovanni, son of Bartholomeo of Brescia, inhabitant of Venice 
in the time of the "Most Serene Liege Lord Nicolas Marcello, on 
17 May, 1474, Indiction VIL 

A similar privilege was granted to the honest and prudent 
man, Giovanni Pietro de Turco, formerly of Novara, inhabi- 
tant of Venice in the time of the Most Serene Liege Lord 
Giovanni Mocenigo, 22 August, 1480. 

A similar privilege was granted to Bartholomeo, son of 
Antonio Casarolo, on 18 August, 1481. 

A similar privilege was granted to Bernardo, son of Bar- 
tholomeo of Bergamo, on 28 September, 1484. 

A similar privilege was granted to Zacharia de Panti, of 
Lodi, on 28 September, 1484. 

A similar privilege was granted to Benedetto, son of 
Lancelloto Fontana, on 28 September, 1484. 



6 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

A similar privilege was granted to the brothers Giovanni, 
Sebastian© and Stephano, on 28 September, 1484. 

A similar privilege was granted to Rafaele, son of the late 
Antonio of Ardiecione, on 12 February, 1484. 

A similar privilege was granted, with a golden seal, to M. 
Stefano, son of Nicolas, the goldsmith, on 26 February, 1484. 

A similar privilege was granted to John Cabot under the 
Doge above mentioned [Pietro Mocenigo], 1476. 

A similar privilege was granted to Domenico Giovanni de 
la Cisio on 18 January, 1498, etc. 

Also translated in part in Tarducci, op. cit., 26-7 ; in 
Beazley, op. cit., 35-6 ; and in full in Harrisse, John Cabot, &c., 
387-9. 

III. 

5 March, 1496. 

PETITION OF JOHN CABOT AND HIS SONS. 

Memorandum quod quinto die marcii, anno regni regis 
Henrici septimi undecimo, ista billa deliberta fuit domino 
Cancellario Anglie apud Westmonasterium exequenda: 

To the kyng our souvereigne lord : 

Please it your highnes of your moste noble and haboundant 
grace to graunt unto John Cabotto, Citezen of Venice, Lewes, 
Sebastyan and Soncio, his sonnys, your gracious letters patentes 
under your grete seale in due forme to be made according to the 
tenour hereafter ensuying^. And they shall during their lyves 
pray to God for the prosperous continuance of your moste 
noble and royall astate long to enduer. 

From the Public Record Office, Chancery Warrants for 
Privy Seal, ser. II, 146, (7th in packet) : printed in 
C. Desimoni, Intorno a Giovanni Cahoto in the AUi della 
Societd ligure di Storia patria, p. 223, Geneva, 1881 ; H. Har- 
risse, Jean et Sehastien Cabot, pp. 312-3 ; A. J. Weise, The 
Discoveries of America to the year 1525, p. 188, E'ew York, 
1884; Tarducci, op. cit., 320; Hakluyt, Principall Navigations, 
XII, 22, note, Edinburgh, 1889 ; American History Leaflet, 
No. 9, edit, by A. B. Hart and E. Charming, p. 5, New York, 
1893; RaccoUa di Documenti e Studi pubblicati dalla Reale 
Commvssiione Colombiana,, -parte Y, vol. II, p. 216; D. W. 
Prowse, A History of Newfoundland, p. 8, London, 1895 ; 
G. E. Weare, op. cit, 94; and C. E. Beazley, op. cit., 48-9. 

1 A draft copy was enclosed which corresponds with document IV, 
except for the inclusion of one word. Vid. p. 7, note. 



PRECUESOKS OF CARTIER 7 

IV. 

5 March, 1496. 

FIRST LETTERS PATENT GRANTED BY HENRY VII. TO JOHN CABOT 
AND HIS SONS. 

Pro Johanne Caboto et filiis suis. 
Rex omnibus ad quos, etc. Salutem: Notum sit et mani- 
festum quod dedimus et concessimus ac per presentes damus 
et concedimus pro nobis et heredibus nostris dilectis nobis 
Johanni Cabotto, civi Veneciarum, ac Lodovico, Sebastiano 
et Sancto, filiis dicti Johannis, et eorum ac cuiuslibet eorum 
heredibus et deputatis, plenam ac liberam auctoritatem, facul- 
tatem et potestatem navigandi ad onines partes, regiones et 
sinus maris orientalis, occidentalis et septemtrionalis sub 
banneris, vexillis et insigniis nostris cum quinque navibus sive 
navigiis, cuiuscumque portiture et qualitatis existant, et cum 
tot et tantis nautis et hominibus, quot et quantis in dictis 
navibus secum ducere voluerint, suis et eorum propriis sumpti- 
bus et expensis, ad inveniendum, discooperiendum et investi- 
gandum quascumque insulas, patrias, regiones sive provincias 
gentilium et infidelium ^ in quacumque parte mundi positas, 
que Christianis omnibus ante hec tempora fuerunt incognite. 
Concessimus eciam eisdem et eorum cuilibet, eorum que et cuius- 
libet eorum heredibus et deputatis, ac licenciam dedimus 
affigendi predictas banneras nostras et insignia in quacumque 
villa, oppido, castro, insula seu terra firma a se noviter inven- 
tis. Et quod prenominati Johannes et filii eiusdem seu 
heredes et eorum deputati quascumque huiusmodi villas, 
castra, oppida et insulas a se inventas, que subiugari, occupari 
et possideri possint, subiugare, occupare et possidere valeant, 
tamquam vasalli nostri et gubematores, locatenentes et depu- 
tati eorundem, dominium, titulum et jurisdiccionem eorundem 
villarum, castrorum, oppidorum, insularum ac terre firme sic 
inventorum nobis acquirendo ; Ita tamen ut ex omnibus f ructu- 
bus, proficuis, emolumentis, commodis, lucris et obvencionibus 
ex huiusmodi navigacione provenientibus, prefati Johannes et 
filii ac heredes et eorum deputati teneantur et sint obligati 
nobis pro omni viagio suo, tociens quociens ad portum nostrum 
Bristollie applicuerint, ad quem omnino applicare teneantur 
et sint astricti, deductis omnibus sumptibus et impensis neces- 
sariis per eosdem factis, quintam partem tocius capitalis lucri 
sui facti sive in mercibus sive in pecuniis persolvere. Dantes 



1 In the copy preserved under Chancery Warrants for Privy Seal, ser. 
II, 146, the word quorumcumque is inserted here. 



8 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

nos et concedentes eisdem suisque heredibus et depntatis iit 
ab omni solutione custumarum omnium et singulorum bono- 
rum ac mercium, quas secum reportarint ab illis locis sic 
noviter inventis, liberi sint et immunes. Et insuper dedimus 
et concessimus eisdem ac suis heredibus et deputatis, quod 
terre omnes firme, insule, ville, oppida, castra et loca quecum- 
que a se inveiita, quotquot ab eis inveniri contigerit, non pos- 
sint ab aliis quibusvis nostris subditis frequentari seu visitari 
absque licencia predictorum Johannis et eius filiorum suorum- 
que deputatorum, sub pena amissionis tam navium sive navigi- 
orum quam bonorum omnium quorumcumque ad ea loca sic 
inventa navigare presumencium. Volentes et strictissime 
mandantes omnibus et singulis nostris subditis tam in terra 
quam in mare constitutis ut prefato Johanni et eius filiis ac 
deputatis bonam assistenciam faciant, et tam in armandis navi- 
bus seu navigiis quam in provisione commeatus et victualium 
pro sua pecunia emendorum atque aliarum rerum sibi provi- 
dendarum pro dicta navigacione sumendarum suos omnes 
favores et auxilia imparciantur. 

In cuius etc. 

Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium quinto die Marcii. 
Per ipsum Regem, etc., et de data, etc. 

From the Public Record Office, Treaty Roll 1T8, membrane 
8 (old numbering 23). Another copy will be found under 
Chancery Warrant for Privy Seal, ser. II, 146, 'No. 7 : printed 
in Hakluyt, Divers Voyages, sign. A, London, 1582; idem, 
Principall Navigations, 509-10, London, 1589 ; idem, 
Principall Navigations, III, 4-5, London, 1600 ; Rymer, Fcedera 
XII, 595-6, London, 1712; ibid, V, pt. IV, 89, Hag^ 
Comitis, 1741; E. Hazard, Historical Collections, I, 9-10, 
Philadelphia, 1792; Hakluyt, op. cit. Ill, 25-6, London, 1810; 
idem, Divers Voyages, 19-20, London, 1850; Desimoni, op. 
cit, 223-5; Harrisse, op. cit, 313-5; Hakluyt, op. cit, XII, 
19-21, 1889 ; Tarducci, op. cit, 320-2 ; American History 
Leaflet, In^o. 9, 2-3 (from Rymer); Raccolta Colomhiana, loc. 
cit, 216-7; Weare, op. cit, 96-7; and Hakluyt, op. cit, VII, 
141-3. Glasgow, 1904. 

IVa. 

For Lohn Cabot and his Sons. 

The King, to all to whom, etc. Greeting : Be it known and 
made manifest that we have given and granted as by these 



JTBECUKSOES OF CARTIER 9 

presents we give and grant, for iis and our heirs, to our well- 
beloA'ed John Cabot, citizen of Venice, and to Lewis, Sebastian 
and Sancio, sons of the said John, and to the heirs and 
deputies of them, and of any one of them, full and free 
authority, faculty and power to sail to all parts, regions and 
coasts of the eastern, western and northern sea, under our 
banners, flags and ensigns, with five ships or vessels of whatso- 
ever burden and quality they may be, and with so many and 
such mariners and men as they may wish to take with them in 
the said ships, at their own proper costs and charges, to find, 
discover and investigate whatsoever islands, countries, regions 
or provinces of heathens and infidels, in whatsoever part of the 
world placed, which before this time were unknown to all 
Christians. We have also granted to them and to any of them, 
and to the heirs and deputies of them and of any one of them, 
and have given licence to set up our aforesaid banners and 
ensigns in any town, city, castle, island or mainland whatso- 
ever, newly found by them. And that the before-mentioned 
John and his sons or their heirs and deputies may conquer, 
occupy and possess whatsoever such towns, castles, cities and 
islands by them thus discovered that they may be able to 
conquer, occupy and possess, as our vassals and governors 
lieutenants and deputies therein, acquiring for us the dominion, 
title and jurisdiction of the same towns, castles, cities, islands 
and mainlands so discovered; in such a way nevertheless that 
of all the fruits, profits, emoluments, commodities, gains and 
revenues accruing from this voyage, the said John and sons 
and their heirs and deputies shall be bounden and under obliga- 
tion for every their voyage, as often as they shall arrive 
at our port of Bristol, at which they are bound and holden only 
to arrive, all necessary charges and expenses incurred by 
them having been deducted, to pay to us, either in goods or 
money, the fifth part of the whole capital gained, we giving and 
granting to them and to their heirs and deputies, that they shall 
be free and exempt from all payment of customs on all and 
singular the goods and merchandise that they may bring back 
with them from those places thus newly discovered. 

And further we have given and granted to them and to their 
heirs and deputies, that all mainlands, islands, towns, cities, 
castles and other places whatsoever discovered by them, however 
numerous they may happen to be, may not be frequented or 
visited by any other subjects of ours whatsoever without the 
licence of the aforesaid John and his sons and of their deputies, 
on pain of the loss as well of the .ships or vessels daring to sail 



10 . CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

to these places discovered, as of all goods whatsoever. Willing 
and strictly commanding all and singular our subjects as well 
by land as by sea, that they shall render good assistance to the 
aforesaid John and his sons and deputies, and that they shall 
give them all their favour and help as well in fitting out the 
ships or vessels as in buying stores and provisions with their 
money and in providing the other things which they must take 
with them on the said voyage. 

In witness whereof, etc. 

Witness ourself at Westminster on the fifth day of March. 

By the King himself, etc. 

Also translated in Hakluyt, Divers Voyages, sign. A 2; 
idem, Principall Navigations, 510-11, London, 1589; idem, 
Principall Navigations, III, 5, London, 1600; G. Chalmers, 
Political A7inals of the Present United Colonies, etc., Y-8, 
London, lYSO; W. Barrett, The History and Antiquities of 
the City of Bristol, lYl-2, Bristol, 1789 ; Hakluyt, op. cit, III, 
26, 1810; idem. Divers Voyages, 2^2, 1850; J. F. Nicholls 
and J. Taylor, Bristol, Past and Present, III, 294, Bristol, 
1882; Hakluyt, op, cit, XII, 21-2, 1889; Old South Leaflet, 
No. 37, 1-2 (from Hakluyt) ; C. E. Markham, The Journal of 
Christopher Columbus and Documents relating to the Voyages 
of John Cabot and Caspar Corte Real, 197-9, London (the 
Hakluyt Society)^ 1893; American History Leaflet, 'No. 9, 4-5 
(from Hakluyt) ; Weare, op. cit., 97-100 ; Beazley, op. cit., 
49-51; and Hakluyt, op. cit, VII, 143-4, 1904. 



V. 

28 March, 1496. 

EXTRACT FROM A DISPATCH OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA TO 
GONZALES DE PUEBLA^ THEIR AMBASSADOR IN ENGLAND. ^ 

.... Quanto a lo que desis que alia es ydo uno como Colon para 
poner al Rey de Ynglaterra en otro negocio como el de las 
Yndias syn perjuysio de Espana ni de Portogal, sy asy le acude 
a el como a nos otros, lo de las Yndias bien librado estara. 
Crehemos que esto sera echadiso del Rey de Trangia por poner 

1 The date of Puebla's original dispatch was 21 January. 1496. ae 
stated by the late Mr. Harrisse, Jcaji et Scbastien f^abot, p. 13. 



PKECUESORS OF CARTIEK 11 

en esto al Rej de fnglaterra para le apartar de otros negocios. 
Mirad que procureis que en esto ni en lo seme j ante no resciba 
cngano el Rej re Ynglaterra, que por quantas partes pudieren, 
trabajaran los franceses de gelo faser. Y estas cosas semejantes 
son cosas muy yngiertas, j tales que para agora no conviene 
entender en ellas; y tanbien mirad que'a aquellas partes no se 
puede entender en esto syn perjuisio nuestro o del Rey de 
Portogal 

De Tortosa a xxviii de Marzo de MCCCCXCVI. 

From tbe Archivo General de Simancas, Estado, Tratados 
con Inglaterra leg. 2°, fol. 16 ; draft copy: printed in Desimoni, 
op. cit., 226 ; Harrisse, op. cit., 315-6 ; Tarducci, op. 
sit., 322-3 ; Raccolta Colomhiana, loc. cit., 217 ; and Weare, 
op. cit.,, 110-11 (from Harrisse). 



Va. 

... In regard to what you say of the arrival there of one like 
Columbus for the purpose of inducing the king of England^ to 
enter upon another undertaking like that of the Indies, without 
prejudice to Spain or to Portugal, if he [the king] aids him 
as he has us, the Indies will be well rid of the man. We are 
of opinion that this is a scheme of the French king's to persuade 
the king of England to undertake this so that he will give up 
other affairs. Take care that you prevent the king of England 
from being deceived in this or in anything else of the kind, 
since wherever they can, the French will endeavour to bring 
this about. And things of this sort are very uncertain, and of 
such a nature that for the present it is not seemly to conclude 
an agreement therein ; and it is also clear that no arrangement 
can be concluded in this matter in that country [England] 
without harm to us or to the king of Portugal 

Tortosa,^ 28 March, 1496. 

Also translated in Bergenroth, Calendar of Spanish State 
Papers I, 89, London, 1862; The Historical Magazine, 2nd 
ser. Ill, No. 3, 134, appendix B, Morrisania, 1868 (from Ber- 
genroth) ; Weise, op. cit., 187; Weare, op. cit., 111-12; and 
Beazley, op. cit, 51-2. 

1 Henry VII. 

2 A town in Catalonia. 



12 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

VI. 

VARIOUS ARTICLES OF THE PRIVY PURSE EXPENSES OF HENRY VII. 

12. H. 7^ Aug*: lO**" Itni to liym that founde the 

new Isle £10 

13. II. 7 Mch: 22*^ Itm to Lanslot ThirkilP of 

Lond. upon a Prest for his 
Shipp going towards the 

new Ilande £20 

Itm delivered to Launcelot 
Thirkill going towards the 

new He in Prest £20 

Apr: 1'* Itm to Thomes Bradley & 
Launcelot Thirkill going 

to the new Isle £30 

Apr: 1*' Itm to John Carter going to 

the ITewe He in rewarde 40 

17. H. 7^ Jan: 7*^ Itm to men of Bristoll that 

founde Thisle 100 

17. Isicy H. 7 Sept: 30*'' Itm to the merchants 

of Bristoll that have bene 
in the newe founde Launde.£20 

19. H. 7* Apr: 8^^ Itm to a preste that goith to the 

new Ilande 40 

20th H. 7"*' Augt: 25*'^ Itm to Clays goying to 

Richemount with wylde 
Catts & Popyngays of the 
JSTewfound Island for his 
costs 13 4 

From the British Museum, Additional MS. 7099 fols. 41- 
95 : printed in [S. Bentley] Excerpta Historica or Illustrations 
of English History, 113-33 London, 1831; The Historical 
Magazine 2nd ser. Ill, 'No. 3, 134 C; Desimoni, op. Xiit, 
237 (in part) ; Harrisse, Jean et Sehastien Cahot, 256, 267, 
270 and -272 (from Bentley) ; J. F. Nieholls and J. Taylor, op. 

1 From 22 August, 1496, to 21 August, 1497. 

- References to this man will be found also in Addit. MS. 21480 fols. 
58 and 76v. 

3 From 22 August, 1501, to 21 August, 1502. 

4 From October the first onwards the correct number 18 is given. The 
eighteenth year ran from 22 August 1502 to 21 August 1503. 

5 From 22 August, 1503. to 21 August, 1504. 
« From 22 August, 1504, to 21 August, 1505. 



PBECUBSOKS OF CAETIER 13 

cit., 73 ; Tarducci, op. cit., 325-6 (from Bentley) ; Weare, op. 
cit., 154-5 ; and Beazlej, op. cit, 267-8 and 2Y1-2. 



VII. 

23 August, 1497. 

LOKENZO PASQUALIGO's LETTER FROM LONDON. 

Copia de uno capitolo scrive in una lettera sier Lorenzo 
Pasqualigo, fo di sier Filippo, da Londra a di 23 avosto a sier 
Alvixe e Francesco Pasqualigo, suo fradeli in Veniexia. Eice- 
vuta adi 23 settembre 1497. 

L'e venuto sto nostro veneziano che ando con uno navilio di 
Bristo a trovar ixole nove, e dice haver trovato lige 700 lontam 
di qui terra ferma ch'e el paexe del gram cam; ed e andato per 
la costa lige 300 ed e desmontato e non a visto persona alguna, 
ma a portato qui al re certi lazi ch'era tesi per prender salva- 
dexine e uno ago da far rede, e a trovato certi albori talati siclie 
per questo judicha che ze persone ; vene in nave per dubito, et e 
stato mexi tre sul viazo, e questo e certo. E al tornar aldreto a 
visto do ixole ma non ha voluto desender per non perder tempo 
che la vituaria li manchava. Sto re ne habuto grande a piacer; 
e dize che le aque e stanche e non hano corso come qui. El re li 
ha promesso a tempo novo navili x armati come lui vora ed ali 
dato tutti i presonieri da traditori in fuora che vadano con lui, 
come lui a rechiesto, e ali dato danari f azi bona ziera sino a quel 
tempo, ed e con so moler veniziana e con so fioli a Bristo. El 
qual se chiama Zuam Talbot e chiamasi el gran armirante e 
vienli fato grande honor e va vestido de seda, e sti inglexi li 
vano driedi a mo pazi, e pur ne volese tanti quanti navrebe con 
lui, et etiam molti de nostri furfanti. Sto inventor de queste 
cose a impiantato suli tereni a trovato una gran -f- [i.e. croce] 
con una bandiera de Ingeltera e una di San Marcho per esser lui 
veneziano, siche el nostro conf alone se steso molto in qua. 

From the Diarii di Sanuto in the Biblioteca nazionale di S. 
Marco at Venice, MSS. Italiani CI. 7, No. 419 (vol. I), fol. 
374 verso; printed in Rawddn Brown, Ragguali sulla vita e 
suite opere di Marin Sanuto, part. I, pp. 99-100, Venezia, 
1837; Marin Sanuto, Diarii, vol. I, cols. 806-7, Venezia, 1879; 
Desimoni, op. cit., 227-8; Barrera Pezzi, op. cit., 15, note 3; 
Harrisse, op. cit., 322; Tarducci, op. cit, 326-7; RaccoUa 
Colomhiana, pt. Ill, v. II, p. 109 ; and Weare, op. cit. 138-9. 



14 canadian akc hives 

VIIa. 

Copy of a Paragraph in a Letter ser Lorenzo Pasqualigo [son 
of] the late ser Philip wrote from London on 23 August to set 
Alvise and Francesco Pasqualigo, his brothers, in Venice. Ke- 
ceived on 23 September, 1497. 

That Venetian of ours who went with a small ship from 
Bristol to find new islands has come back and says he has dis- 
covered mainland 700 leagues away, wliich is the 
country of the Grand Khan, and that he coasted it for 
300 leagues and landed and did not see any person; but he 
has brought here to the king^ certain snares which were spread 
to take game and a needle for making nets, and he found cer- 
tain notched [or felled] trees so that by this he judges that there 
are inhabitants. Being in doubt he returned to his ship ; and 
he has been three months on the voyage ; and this is certain. 
And on the way back he saw two islands, but was unwilling to 
land, in order not to lose time, as he was in want of provisions. 
The king here is much pleased at this ; and he [Cabot] says 
that the tides are slack and do not run as they do here. The 
king has promised him for the spring ten armed ships as he 
[Cabot] desires, and has given him all the prisoners to be sent 
away, that they may go with him, as he has requested ; and has 
given him money that he may have a good time until then, and 
he is with his Venetian wife and his sons at Bristol. His name 
is Zuam Talbot and he is called the Great Admiral and vast 
honour is paid to him and he goes dressed in silk, and these 
English run after him like mad, and indeed he can enlist as 
many of them as he pleases, and a number of our rogues as well. 
The discoverer of these things planted on the land which he has 
found a large cross with a banner of England and one of S't. 
Mark, as he is a Venetian, so that our flag has been hoisted very 
far afield. 

Also translated in Rawdon Brown, Qalendar, &c., I, 262, 
No. 752 ; Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society for 
October 21, 1865, 20-1, Cambridge, 1866 (from Bro^vn) ; The 
Historical Magazine, 2nd series, III, IsTo. 3, 134 D 
(from Bro^vn) ; Nicholls and Taylor, op. cit., 294-5; 
Weise, op. cit., 189-90 (from Brown) ; J. Winsor, Narrative 
and Critical History of America, III, 53, London, 1866 (from 
Brown) ; Markham, op. cit., 201-2; American History Leaflet, 
No. 9, 5-6 (from Bro^vn) ; Collections of the Nora Scotia 
Historical Society, IX, 35-6, Halifax, 1895 (from Brown) ; 

1 Henry VII. 



PKECUBSOES OF CARTIEK 15 

Weare, op. cit., 139-40 (from Brown) ; Beazley, op. cit., 60-1 ; 
Old South Leaflet No. 115, 1-2, Boston, 1902 (from Brown) ; 
and E. G. Bourne, The Voyages of the Cahots in volume I of 
Original Narratives of Early American History^ ed. by J. F. 
Jameson, LL.D., 423-4, l^ew York, 1906. 

VIII. 

Extract from a dispatch of 24 August, 1497. 

Raimondo di Soncino to the Duke of Milan. 

LE NOVE havute questa matina db ingliteeka pek littere 

DE XXIIII AUGUSTI 

.... Item la Magista de Re sono mesi passati havia mandato 
uno Veneciano el qual e molto bono marinare et a bona scientia 
de trovare insule nove, e ritornato a salvamento et a ritrovato 
due insule nove grandissime et fructiffere et etiam trovato le 
Septe Citade lontane da 1' insula de Ingliterra lege 400 per lo 
camino de ponente: la Maista de Re questo primo bono tempo 
gli vole mandare xv in xx navili, etc 

From the Public Record Office, Venetian Transcripts, 'No. 
195, at the date. The original cannot now be found in the 
Archivio di Stato at Milan whence in 1860 the late Mr. Rawdon 
Brown procured the above copy, and the authorities think 
it has been stolen: printed in Harrisse, op. cit., 323; Tarducci, 
op. cit., 327 (from Harrisse) ; and Weare, op. cit., 143 (from 
Harrisse). The text given by Signer C. Bullo in his La vera 
patria di Nicolo de' Conti e di Giovanni Cahoto, p. 60, and re- 
printed thence by Desimoni (op. cit., 228-9), Harrisse (op. cit., 
323), and Weare (op. cit, 142-3), is according to Signor I. 
Macagnani, the Director of the Archives at Milan, merely a 
modernised version of the above done to make the old Italian 
more intelligible. 

VIIIa. 

iN'ews received this mornino; from England by letters [of 
Raimondo di Soncino] dated 24 August. 

. . . Also some months affo bi=? maictv the kinq-^ pent ont a 
Venetian who is a very good mariner and has considerable skill 

1 Henry VII. 5, 



16 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

in discovering new islands, and he has returned safe, and has 
found two new very large and fertile islands, and also dis- 
covered the Seven Cities, 400 leagues from the island 
of England, on the western passage. This next spring his 
majesty the king means to send him out with fifteen or twenty 
ships 

Also translated in Bawdon Brown, op. cit., 260, No. 750; 
Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society for October 
21, 1865, 21-2 (from Bro^vn) ; The Historical Magazine, 2nd 
series. III, ISTo. 3, 134 E; American History Leaflet, No. 9, 
6-7; Old South Leaflet, No. 115, p. 2 (from Brown); Mark- 
ham, op. cit., 202 ; Weare, op. cit, 143-4 (from Brown) ; Beaz- 
ley, op. cit., 62 ; and Bourne, op. cit., 424-5. 



IX. 

13 December, 1497. 

PENSION OF TWENTY POUNDS PER ANNUM GRANTED TO JOHN 

CABOT. 

Memorandum quod xxviii die januarii anno subscripto 
istud breve liberatum fuit domino Cancellario Anglie apud 
Westmonasterium exequendum. 

Henry by the grace of God King of England and of ffraunce 
and lord of Irland, To the most reverend fadre in God John, 
Cardinal archiebisshop of Cantrebury, prymate of all England, 
and of the apostolique see legate, our chaunceller, greeting : We 
late you wite that We for certaine considerations us specially 
moevying have yeven and graunted unto our welbiloved John 
Calbot of the parties of Venice an annuitie or annuel rent of 
twenty poundes sterling, to be had and yerely perceyved from 
the fest of thanunciation of our lady last passed^ durinsi: our 
pleasur of our custumes and subsidies commying and growing 
in our Poort of Bristowe by thands of our custumers ther for 
the tyme beying at Michelmas^ and Estre by even porcions, 
Wherefor we wol and charge you that under our grete seal ye 
do make heruppon our letters patentes in god and effectual 
forme Yeven undre our Pryve Seal at our paloys of West- 
minister the xiii'*^ day of Decembre The xiii'*^ yere of our 
Reigne. 

HORWOOD. 

1 25 March, 1497. 

2 29 September. 



PRECURSOKS OF CARTIER 17 

From the Public Record Office, Chancery Privy Seal, 
December, 13 Henry VII, 22n(i in packet: printed in Winsor, 
op. cit. III, 56; Harrisse, John Cabot, etc., 392 (from the 
original) ; Weare, op. cit, 128 ; and Beazley, op. cit, 92-3. 



X. 

18 December, 1497. 

Second Dispatch of Raimondo di Soncino to the Duke 

OF Milan. 

Illustrissimo et Excellentissimo Segnor mio. 

Forsi che tra tante occupatione de Vostra Excellentia, non 
li sara molesto intendere como questa Maiesta ha guadagnato 
una parte de Asia senza colpo de spada. In questo regno e uno 
populare venetiano chiamato messer Zoanne Caboto, de gentile 
ir.genio, peritissimo de la navigatione, el quale, visto che li 
serenissimi Re, prima de Portugallo, poi de Spagna, hanno occu- 
pato isole incognito, delibero fare uno simile acquisto per ditta 
Maiesta, et impetrato privilegii regii, che I'utile dominio de 
quanto el trovasse fussi suo, per che lo diretto se reserva a la 
corona, cum uno piccolo navilio et xviii persone se pose a la 
fortuna, et partitusi da Bristo, porto occidentale de questo regno, 
et passato Ibernia, piu occidentale, et poi alzatosi verso el septen- 
trione, comencio ad navigare a le parte orientale, lassandosi 
(fra qualche giorni) la tramontana ad mano drita, et havendo 
asai errato in fine capitoe a terra ferma, dove posto la bandera 
regia et tolto la possessione per questa Alteza, et preso certi seg- 
nali, se ne retornato. Al ditto messer Zoanne, como alienigena 
et povero, non saria creduto, se li compagni chi sono quasi tutti 
inglesi et da Bristo, non testificasserro cio che lui dice essere 
vero. Esso. messer Zoanne ha la descriptione del mundo in una 
carta et anche in una sphera solida che lui ha fatto, et demonstra 
dove e capitato, et andando verso el levante ha passato asai el 
paese del Tanais. Et dicono che la e terra optima et temperata, 
et estimanno che vi nasca el brasilio et le sete, et affirmanno che 
quelle mare e coperto de pessi, li quali se prendenno non solo 
cum la rete ma cum le ciste, essendoli alligato uno saxo ad cio 
che la cista se impozi in I'aqua, et questo io I'ho oldito narrare al 



18 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

ditto messer Zoanne. Et ditti inglesi suoi compagni dicono che 
portaranno tanti pessi che questo regno non havera piu bisogno 
de Islanda, del quale paese vene una grandissima mercantia de 
pessi che si chiamanno stochfissi. Ma messer Zoanne ha posto 
I'animo ad magior cosa, per che pensa da quello loco occupato 
andarsene sempre a riva riva piu verso el levante, tanto ch'el sia 
al opposito de un isola da lui chiamata Cipango, posta in la 
regione equinoctiale, dove crede che nascano tutte le speciarie 
del mundo et anche le gioie ; et dice che altre volte esso e stato 
a la Meccha, dove per caravane de luntani paesi sono portate le 
speciarie, et domandati quelli chi le portanno, dove nascono ditte 
speciarie, respondenno che non sanno, ma che venghono cum 
questa mercantia da luntani paesi ad casa sua altre caravane, le 
quale ancora dicono che ad loro sono portate da altre remote 
regioni. Et fa questo argumento, che se li orientali affermanno 
a li meridionali che queste cose venghono lontano da loro, et 
cosi de mano in mano, presupposta la rotundita de la terra, e 
necessario che li ultimi le tolliano al septentrione verso I'occi- 
dente. Et dicello per modo che non me costando piu como costa, 
ancora io lo credo. Et che e magior cosa, questa Maiesta che e 
savia et non prodiga, ancora lei li presta qualche f ede, per che 
dopio ch'el e tornat°, li da asai bona provisione, come esso messer 
Zoanne me dice. Et a tempo novo se dice che la Maiesta pre- 
fata armara alcuni navilii, et ultra li dara tutti li malfatori, et 
andarano in quello paese ad fare una colonia, mediante la quale 
sperano de fare in Londres magior fondaco de speciarie che non 
sia in Alexandria. Et li principali de la impresa sono de 
Bristo, grandi marinari, li quali hora che sanno dove andare, 
dicono che la non e navigatione de piu che xv giorni, ne hanno 
mai fortuna como albandonano Ibernia. Ho ancora parlato cum 
uno Borgognone, compagno de messer Zoanne, chi afferma tutto, 
et vole tornarci, per che lo Armirante (che gia messer Zoanne 
cosi se intitula) li ha donate una isola, et ne ha donate una altra 
ad uno suo barbero da Castione Genoese, et intrambi se reputan- 
no conti, ne monsignor I'armirante se estima manco de principe. 
Credo ancora andarano cum questo passagio alcuni poveri frati 
italiani, li quali tutti hanno promissione de vescovati. Et per 
essere io fatto amico de I'armirante, quando volessi andarvi, 
haverei uno Archivescovato, ma ho pensato ch'el sia piu secura 
cosa li beneficii quali Vostra Excellentia me ha reservati, et 
perho supplico che quando vacasserro in mia absentia, la me 
faccia dare la possessione, ordenando fra questo megio dove 
bisogna, che non me siano tolti da altri, li quali per essere pre- 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 19 

senti possonno essere piu diligent! di me\ el quale sono redutto 
in qiiesto paese ad mangiare ogni paste de x o xii vivande, et 
stare tre here ad tavola per volta, ogni giorno due volte, per 
amore de Vostra Excellentia. A la quale humilmente me 
recomando. 

Excellentie Vestre 

humillissimus servus, 

RAIMUNDUS. 
Londonie xviii Decembris 1497. 

[Endorsed] Iir" ac Ex^° Princepi, 

Duci Mediolani, etc. 
et Domino meo Colen""", 

From the Real Archivio di Stato at Milan, Potenze Estere, 
Inghilterra, at the date: original: printed in Annuario Scien- 
tifico ed Industriale, anno secondo, 1865, pp. 700-2 Milano, 
1866; C. Barrera Pezzi,^ op. cit., 44-6; Desimoni, op. cit., 
229-31; Harrisse, Jean et Sehastien Gahot, 324-6; BaccoUa 
Colombiana, pt. Ill, vol. I, 197-8; Tarducci, op. cit., 328-30: 
and Weare, op. cit., 144-7. 

Xa. 

My most Illustrious and most Excellent Lord. 

Perhaps amidst so many occupations of your Excellency it 
will not be unwelcome to learn how his majesty here^ has ac- 
quired a portion of Asia Avithout a stroke of his sword. In this 
kingdom there is a lower class Venetian named Master Zoanne 
Caboto, of a fine mind, very expert in navigation, who, seeing 
that the most serene kings, first of Portugal, then of Spain have 
occupied unknown islands, meditated the achievement of a simi- 
lar acquisition for his majesty aforesaid, and having obtained 
royal grants securing to himself the profitable control of what- 

1 This was the usual demand at the close of each of Soncino's letters. 
On 21 October he had written: "Supplico V. Ex. se degni provedere che 
li beneficii quali me ha concessi, ogni volta che vacarano, siano mei, ben 
che io sia absente ; cio e la parrochiale de Galignano cremonensis 
dioecesis presso Soncino tre milia, el primo canonicato de Piasenza, et lo 
prime de Santo Stefano de Milano," etc. Cf. also the close of his dispatch 
of 6 December. Archive di State at Milan, Potenze Estere, Inghilterra, 
at the dates. 

2 It has net been possible to see a copy of his Documenti inediti italo- 
ispani. 

3 Henry VII. 
447S— 2i 



20 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

• 

ever he should discover, since the sovereignty was reserved to the 
crown, with a small ship and eighteen persons he committed 
himself to fortune and set out from Bristol, a western port of 
this kingdom, and having passed Ireland, which is still further 
to the west and then shaped a northerly course, he began to 
navigate to the eastern parts, leaving (during several days) the 
North star to the right; and having wandered about con- 
siderably, at length he fell in with terra firma, where he set up 
the royal standard, and having taken possession for this king 
and collected several tokens, he came back again. The said 
Master Zoanne, being a foreigner and a poor man, would not be 
believed if the crew, who are nearly all English and from 
Bristol, did not testify that what he says is true. This Master 
Zoanne has a drawing of the world on a map and also on a solid 
globe, which he has made, and shows the point he reached, and 
going towards the east, he has passed considerably the country 
of the Tanais.^ And they say that the land is excellent and [the 
air] temperate, and they think .that Brazilwood and silks grow 
there; and they affirm that the sea is covered with fish which 
are caught not merely with nets but with baskets, a stone being 
attached to make the basket sink in the water, and this I heard 
the said Master Zoanne relate. And said Englishmen, his com- 
panions, say that they will fetch so many fish that this kingdom 
will have no more need of Iceland, from which country there 
comes a very great store of fish which are called stock-fish. But 
Master Zoanne has set his mind on something greater; for he 
expects to go from that place already occupied, constantly hug- 
ging the shore, further towards the east until he is opposite an 
island called by him Cipango, situated in the equinoctial region, 
where he thinks grow all the spices of the world and also the 
precious stones ; and he says that once upon a time he was at 
Mecca, whither the spices are brought by caravan from distant 
countries, and those who brought them, on being asked where the 
said spices grow, answered that they did not know, but that other 
caravans come with this merchandise to their homes from dis- 
tant countries, who again say that they are brought to them from 
other remote regions. And he argues thus, that if the orientals 
affirm to the southerners, that these things come from a distance, 
and so from hand to hand, presupposing the rotundity of the 
earth, it must be that the last people gets them in the north 
towards the west. And he speaks of it in such a way that not 
costing me more than it does, I too believe him. And what is 

1 Cf. S. E. Dawson, The Voyages of the Cabots, Appendix E, Ottawa, 
1897. 



PRECURSOKS OF CARTIER 21 

more, his majesty here, who is wise and not lavish, likewise puts 
some faith in him ; for since his return he makes him a very 
fair allowance, as this Master Zoanne himself tells me. And it 
is said that in the spring his majesty aforesaid will fit out some 
ships, and besides will give him all the malefactors, and they will 
proceed to that country to form a colony, by means of which 
they hope to establish a greater depot for spices in London than 
there is at Alexandria. And the chief men in the enterprise 
belong to Bristol, great sailors, who now that they know where 
to go, say that it is not more than a fifteen days' voyage thither, 
nor do they ever have storms after they leave Ireland. I have 
also talked with a Burgundian, a companion of Master Zoanne's, 
who confirms everything and wishes to return there because the 
Admiral (for thus Master Zoanne now styles himself) has given 
him an island ; and he has given another to a barber of his from 
Genoese Castiglione^ and both of them consider themselves 
counts, nor does my Lord the Admiral esteem himself less than 
a prince. I think that on this voyage will also go some poor 
Italian monks who all have promises of bishoprics. And having 
become a friend of the Admiral's, if I wish to go I 
should have an archbishopric, but I have thought the benefices 
which your Excellency has reserved for me a safer thing, and I 
beg indeed that should any become vacant in my absence. Your 
Excellency will see that possession is given to me, making the 
necessary arrangements in the meanwhile that they be not taken 
from me by others, who being on the spot, are able to be mncli 
more diligent than I, who am reduced in this country to eating 
at every meal ten or twelve courses and to remaining three hours 
at table each time, twice a day, for love of Your Excellency, to 
whom I humbly recommend myself. 

Your Excellency's most humble servant, 

EAIMUNDUS. 
London, 18 December, 1497. 

Also translated in Weise, op. cit, 192-4; Winsor, op. cit.. 
Ill, 54-5; American History Leaflet, l^o. 9, 7-9; Old South 
Leaflet, No. 115, 2-4; Markham, op. cit, 203-6; Browse, op. 
cit., 11; Weare, op. cit., 147-50; Beazley, op. cit, 62-5; and 
Bourne, op. cit, 425-9. 

1 Now Castiglione Chiavarese, south-east of Genoa. Mr. A. W. White- 
head kindly helped to identify this place. 



22 CANADIAIf AECIIIVES 

XL 

3 February, 14D8. 

Second Letters Patent to John Cabot. 

de licencia caboto. 

Rex omnibus ad quos, etc., Salutem. Sciatis quod nos de 
gratia nostra speciali, ac certis eonsideracionibus nos specialiter 
moventibus, dedimus et concessimus ac per presentes damus et 
concedimus dilecto nobis Johanni Caboto, Veniciano, sufficien- 
tem potestatem et auctoritatem, quod ipse per se deputatum sen 
deputatos suos sufficientes sex naves huius regni Anglie in 
quocumque portu seu portubus sive aliis locis infra idem 
regnum nostrum aut obedienciam nostram, sic quod dicte naves 
sint portagii ducentorum doliorum vel infra, cum apparatubus 
suis pro salvo conductu earundem navium ad libitum suum 
capiendi et providendi, navesque illas ad terram et insulas per 
ipsum Johannem nuperrime inventas conducendi, solvendo pro 
eisdem navibus et earum qualibet tantum quantum nos sol- 
veremus et non ultra, si pro nostro negocio et causa capte fuis- 
sent et provise. Et quod idem Johannes per se aut deputatum 
sive deputatos suos sufficientes omnes et singulos marinarios, 
magistros, pagettos ac subditos nostros quoscumque qui ex eorum 
libera voluntate secum in dictis navibus versus et usque terram 
et insulas predictas transire et transmeare voluerint, in naves 
huiusmodi et earum quamlibet capere et recipere possit et valeat, 
absque impedimento, impeticione seu perturbacione aliquorum 
officiariorum, ministrorum seu subditorum nostrorum quorum- 
cumque per ipsos seu eorum aliquem prefato Johanni deputato 
sive deputatis suis aut aliis subditis nostris predictis seu eorum 
alicui in comitiva eiusdem Johannis in navibus predictis 
ad terram et insulas predictas transeuntibus inferendo aut 
attemptari permittendo. Damus universis et singulis officiariis. 
ministris et subditis nostris presentes litteras nostras visuris et 
audituris absque ulteriori mandato per nos eisdem sive eorum 
alicui faciendo, tenore presencium, firmiter in mandatis, quod 
eidem Johanni ac deputatis suis predictis aliisque nostris subdi- 
tis secum, ut premittitur, transeuntibus in premissis f aciendis et 
exequendis faventes sint consulentes et auxiliantes'in omnibus 



PKECUKSOKS OF CAKTIER 23 

diligenter. In cuius, etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, 
tercio die ffebruarii. 

Per ipsum Regem, et de data, etc. 

From the Public Record Office, Treaty Roll 179, membrane 
1 (old number 6) ; printed in Ilarrisse, John Cabot, etc., 393-4; 
Weare, op. cit, 158-9 ; and Beazley, op. cit, 270-1. 



XIa. 

3 February, 1498. 

[Memorandum quod tercio die ffebruarii anno regni regis 
Henrici septimi xiii° ista billa deliberata fuit domino Can- 
cellario Anglie apud Westm°nasterium exequenda.] 

To the kinge 

Pleas it your highnesse, of your moste noble and habundaunt 
grace, to graunte to John Kabotto, Venician, your gracious let- 
ters patentes in due fourme to be made accordyng to the tenour 
hereafter ensuyng, and he shal contynually praye to God for the 
preservacion of your moste noble and roiall astate longe to 
endure. 

H[en]R[icus] Rex. 

To all men to whom thies presentis shall come, send gretyng : 
Knowe ye that we of our grace especiall and for dyvers causis us 
movyng we have geven and graunten and by thies presentes geve 
and graunte to our wel beloved John Kaboto, Yenician, suffici- 
ente auctorite and power that he by hym, his deputie or deputies 
sufficient may take at his pleasure vi englisshe shippes in any 
porte or portes or other place within this our realme of Eng- 
lond or obeisaunce, so that and if the said shippes be of the 
bourdeyn of cc tonnes or under, with their apparaill requisite 
and necessarie for the saveconduct of the seid shippes, and 
theym convey and lede to the londe and lies of late founde by 
the seid John in oure name and by our commaundemente, pay- 
ing for theym and every of theym as and if we shuld in or for 
our owen cause paye and noon otherwise. 

And that the seid John by hym, his deputie or deputies suffi- 
ciente maye take and receyve into the seid shippes and every 
of theym all suche Maisters, Marynerg, pages and our subiectes, 
as of their owen free wille avoII goo and passe with hym in the 



24 CANADIAN AECHIVES 

same shippes to the seid londe or lies withoute any impedy- 
mente, lett or perturbaunce of any of our officers or ministres or 
subiectes whatsoevir they be by theym to the seid John, his 
depntie or deputies and all other our seid subiectes or any of 
theym passing with the seid John in the seid shippes to the 
seid londe or lies to be doon or suffer to be doon or attempted. 
Yeving in commaundement to all and every our officers, minis- 
tres and subiectes seying or herying thies our letters patentes, 
without any ferther commaundement by us to theym or any ©f 
theym to be geven, to perfourme and socour the seid John, hi& 
deputie and all our seid subiectes so passyng with hym accord- 
ing to the tenour of thies our letters patentes, any statute, acte 
or ordenaunce to the contrarye made or to be made in any wisa 
notwithstanding. 

From the Public Eecord Office, Chancery Warrants for 
Privy Seal, February, 13 Henry VII r4th in packet) ; printed 
in MehoUs and Taylor, op. cit, 296; [R. Biddle],A Memoir 
of Sebastian Cahot, etc., 74z-5 Philadelphia, 1831 ; J. W. Jones, 
Introduction to the reprint of Ilakluyt's Divers Voyages, pp.. 
LXXII-III, London, 1850; Desimoni, op. cit, 232-3; Har- 
risse, Jean et Sebastien Cabot, 32Y-8 ; Markham, op. cit., 
206-7 ; Tarducci, op. cit., 330-1 ; Raccolta Colombiana, parte V, 
vol. II, 217-8; Weare, op. cit, 156-7; and Beazley, op. cit., 
95-6. 

As early as 1589 Ilakluyt quoted the Rolls Office Memo- 
randum of these letters patent in his Principall Navigations, 
511 (London, 1589). Of also ibid. III, 5-6, London, 1600. 



XIL 

22 February, 1498. 

WARRANT FROM HENRY VII FOR THE PAYMENT OF JOHN CABOt's 

PENSION. 

Henry by the grace of God King of England and of ffraunce 
and lord_ of Irland To the Tresoure'r and Chambrelains of oure 
Eschequier greting: 

Where as We by oure warrant under oure signet for certain 
consideracions have yeven and graunted unto John Caboote xx;^*. 
[£20] yerely during oure pleasur to be had and perceyved by 
the handes of oure Custumers in oure poorte of Bristowe, and as 
we be enfourmed the said John Caboote is dilaied of his paye-- 



PKECURSOKS OF CARTIER 25 

ment bicause the said Custumers have no sufficient matier of 
discharge for their indempnitie to be yolden at their 
accomptes before the Barons of oure Eschequier; Wher- 
fore we wol and charge you that ye oure said Treas- 
ourer and Chambrelains that now be and hereafter shallbe, that 
ye, unto suche tyme as ye shall have from us otherwise in com- 
maundement, do to be levied in due fourme ij severall tailles, 
every of theim conteignying x^'. upon the Customers of the rev- 
enues in our said poort of Bristowe at two usuell termes of the 
yere, whereof oon taill to be levied at this tyme conteignying x^'. 
of the Revenues of oure said poort upon Richard Meryk and 
Arthure Kemys, late Custumers of the same, And the same taill 
or tailles in due and sufficient fourme levied ye delyver unto the 
said John Caboote to be had of oure gift by way of rewarde 
without prest or eny other charge to be sette upon hym or any 
of theim for the same. And thies our letters shalbe youre 
sufficient warrant in that behalf. Yeven undre oure prive seal 
at oure manour of Chene the xxii**" day of ffebruary The 
xiii^'^ yere of oure Reigne. 

BOLMAIT. 

From the Public Record Office, Exchequer of Receipt, 
Warrants for Issue, No. 82 (8th in packet) : printed in Har- 
risse, John Cabot, etc., 394; Weare, op. cit, 129-30; and 
Beazley, op. cit, 93-4. 

XIII. 

25 March, 1498. 

PENSION PAID TO JOHN CABOT. 

Bristollie. 

Visus computi Arthuri Kemys et Ricardi A Meryk Collec- 
torum Custumarum et Subsidiorum domini Regis in portu ville 
Bristollie et in singulis portubus et locis eidem portui adiacenti- 
bus, videlicet, de huius custumis et subsidiis domini Regis 
ibidem a ffesto sancti Michaelis Archangeli Anno xiii° 
domini Regis nunc Henrici septimi usque ffestum Pasche 
accidens xv™° die Aprilis tunc proximo sequentis, scilicet per 
medietatem unius Anni et xvj dies ut infra. 

Et eisdem — x^'. per ipsos solutas Georgio Plerbert pro 
Annuitate sua ad xx//. per Annum sibi per dominum Regem 
per literas suas patentes concessas, solvendas ad duos Anni 



26 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

Terminos de Custumis et Subsidiis in dicto portu BristoUie 
provenientes et crescentes, videlicet, pro termino Annunciaci- 
onis beate Marie virginis infra dictum tempus huius visus 
accidentis, per unam acquietancionem ipsius Georgii inde super 
hunc visum ostensam et penes dictos collectores remanentem. 

Et eisdem — x^'. per ipsos solutas Johanni Calboto, veni- 
ciano, nuper de villa BristoUie predicta, pro Annuitate sua ad 
xx:;^*. per Annum sibi per dictum dominum Regem nunc per 
literas suas patentes concessas^ percipiendas ad duos Anni Ter- 
minos de Custumis et Subsidiis in dicto portu ville BristoUie 
provenientes et crescentes, videlicet pro Termino Annunciacionis 
beate Marie virginis infra tempus huius visus accidentis, per 
unam Acquietancionem ipsius Johannis inde super hunc visum 
ostensam et penes dictos Collectores remanentem 

From the Public Record Office, Exchequer Q. R. Customs, 
^%i : printed in Weare, op. cit., 131 ; and in G. P. Winship, 
Cahot Bibliography, p. 67, London, 1900. 



XIIIa. 

Bristol. View of the account of Arthur Kemys and Richard 
ap Meryk, collectors of the customs and subsidies of our lord 
the king in the port of the town of Bristol, and in the separate 
ports and places adjacent to the same port, to wit, of such cus- 
toms and subsidies of the king there from Michaelmas [29 Sep- 
tember] in the thirteenth year of our lord the king now 
Henry VII [1497] until the Feast of Easter happening on 
15 April then next following [1498], to wit, for the moiety of 
one year and fifteen days as above. 

And £10 paid by them to George Herbert for his annuity of 
£20 a year granted to him by our said lord the king by his 
letters patent, to be paid at two terms out of the customs and 
subsidies arising and growing in the said port of Bristol, to wit, 
for the term of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
[25 March] falling within the time of tliis view [1498] by a 
quittance thereof of the same George shown upon this view and 
remaining in the possession of the said collectors. 

And £10 paid by them to John Calbot, a Venetian, late of the 

1 Vid.nos. IX and XII, pp. 16 and 24-5. 



PRECURSORS OF C ARTIER 2Y 

town of Bristol aforesaid, for his annuity of £20 a year granted 
to him by our said lord the king by his letters patent, to be taken 
at two terms of the year out of the customs and subsidies aris- 
ing and growing in the said port of the town of Bristol, to wit, 
for the term of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
[25 March, 1498] falling within the time of this view, by a 
quittance of the said John, shown upon this view and remain- 
ing in the possession of the said collectors 

Also translated in Weare, op. cit., 131-2 and in full in ibid., 
appendix C, 333-6. 



XIV. 

25 July, 1498.^ 

DISPATCH OF PEDRO DE AYALA TO FERDINAND AND ISABELLA. 

. . .Bien creo Vuestras Altezas an oido' como el rey de Ingla- 
terra ha fecho armada para descuhrir ciertas insulas o tierra 
firme que le han certificado hallaron ciertos que de Bristol 
armaron el aiio passado para lo mismo. Yo he visto la carta 
que ha fecho el inventador que es otro Ginoves como Colon que 
ha estado en Sevilla i en Lisbona procurando haver quien le 
ayudasse a esta invencion. Los de Bristol, ha siete anos que 
cada ano an armado dos, tres, quatro caravelas para ir a huscar 
la isla del Brasil i las Siete Ciudades con la fantasia deste Gin- 
oves. El rei determino de enhiar, porque el ano passado le 
truxo certinidad havian hallado tierra. Del armada que hizo, 
que fueron cinco naos, fueron avituallados por un aTio. Ha 
venido nueva, la una en que iva un otro Frai Buil aporto a Ir- 
landa con gran t rmenta, roto el navio. -El Ginoves tiro su 
camino. Yo, vista la derrota que llevan y la cantidad del cam- 
ino, hallo que es lo que han hallado o hucan (sic) lo que Vues- 
tras Altezas poseen, porque es al cabo que a Vuestras Altezas 
cupo por la convenencia con Portugal. Sperase seran venidos 
para el setienhre. Hago lo saber a Vuestras Altezas. El Rei 
me a f ablado algunas vezes sobrello ; spera aver muy gran in- 
teresse. Creo no ai quatro cientas leguas. Lo le dixe, creya 
eran las halladas por Vuestras Altezas, i aun le dia la una 
razon, no lo querria. Porque creo Vuestras Altezas ia tendran 
aviso de todo esto y ansimismo al carta o napamundi (sic) que 

1 For a supposed dispatch of De Puebla's of this date, vid. Revue 
Hispanique, tome XV, 482-5 Paris. 1906. 

2 The words in italic are in cipher in the original. 



28 CANADIAN AECHIVES 

este ha fecho, io no le enbio aora, que aqui le ai, j a mi ver bien 
falso por dar a entender, no son de las islas dichas. . . . 

De Londres a xxv de Julio. 

From the Archives at Simancas, Tratados eon Inglaterra, 
leg. 2°, fol. 196: original: printed in Desimoni, op. cit., 234-5; 
Harrisse, Jean et Sebastien Cabot, 329-30; Tarducci, op. cit, 
332-3 ; Baccolta Colombiana, parte V, vol. II, p. 218 ; and 
Weare, op. cit., 160-1 (from Harrisse). 



XIVa. 

... I think Your Highnesses have already heard how the king 
of England^ has equipped a fleet to explore certain islands or 
mainland which he has been assured certain persons who set out 
last year from Bristol in search of the same have discovered. I 
have see^ the map made by the discoverer, who is another 
Genoese like Columbus, who has been in Seville and at Lisbon 
seeking to obtain persons to aid him in this discovery. For the 
last seven years the people of Bristol have equipped two, three 
[and] four caravels to go in search of the island of Brazil and 
the Seven Cities according to the fancy of this Genoese. The 
king made up his mind to send thither, because last year sure 
proof was brought him they had found land. The fleet he pre- 
pared, which consisted of five vessels, was provisioned for a year. 
News has come that one of these, in which sailed another Friar 
BuiP, has made land in Ireland in a ffreat storm with the ship 
badly damaged. The Genoese kept on his way. Having seen 
the course they are steering and the lensi^h of the voyage, I find 
that what they have discovered or are in search of is possessed 
by Your Highnesses because it is at the cape which fell to Your 
Highnesses by the convention with Portugal^. It is hoped they 
will be back by September. I let ( ? will let) Your Highnesses 
know about it. The king has spoken to me several times on the 
subject. He hopes the affair may turn out profitable. I believe 
the distance is not 400 leagues. I told him that I believed 
the islands were those found by Your Highnesses, and 
although I gave him the main reason, he would not have it. 
Since I believe Your Highnesses will already have notice of all 

1 Henry VII. 

2 Who sailed with ColnmTjiis on his second voyage. 
8 The treaty of Tordesillas. cf. p. XV., note '2. 



PBECURSOKS OF CAETIER 29 

this and also of the chart or mappemonde which this man has 
made, I do not send it now, although it is here, and so far as I 
can see exceedingly false, in order to make believe that these are 
not part of the said islands [of Your Highnesses] 

London, 25 July, 1498. 

Also translated in Bergenroth op. cit., 176-7, 'No. 210 (the 
sentence about the convention with Portugal being omitted) ; 
Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society for 21 Oc- 
tober 1865, 25-6 (from Bergenroth) ; Weise, op. cit., 195-6 
Nicholls and Taylor, op. cit.. Ill, 296-7 (from Bergenroth) 
The Historical Magazine, 2nd ser. Ill, I^o. 3, 134 F, (ditto) 
Markham, op. cit., 208-9; Old South Leaflet ISTo. 115, p. 5 
Prowse, op. cit., 29 ; Weare, op. cit., 161-3 (from Bergenroth) 
Beazley, op. cit., 101-2; and Bourne, op. cit,, 429-30. 



XV. 

29 September 1499 

Payment of John Cabot's Pension. 

brystolle: the accotjnptes of the custymees. 

Arthurus Kemys et Ricardus a Meryk, Collectores Custu- 
marum et Subsidiorum domini Regis lanarum Corriorum et 
pellium lanutarum in portu ville Bristollie a festo sancti 
Michaelis archangeli anno xij"*" Regis Henrici vij™* usque 
idem festum sancti Michaelis tunc proxime sequens, reddunt 
Computum, etc 

Bristoll. Arthurus Kemys et Ricardus a Meryk, Collectores 
Custumarum et Subsidiorum Regis ibidem a festo Sancti 
Michaelis archangeli anno xiij™° Regis nunc usque idem 
festum Sancti Michaelis tunc proxime sequens reddunt 
Computum de -{- mcciiii^ii li. viii. s. xi. d. ob. 

De quibus 

Et in thesaurario in una tallia pro Thoma Lovell Milite, c. li. 
Et in thesaurario in una tallia pro Johanne Caboot, xx. li. 



30 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

Bristol!. Arthuriis Kemys et Kicardus ap Meryke, CoUectores 
Custumarum et Subsidiorum Regis ibidem a festo Sancti 
Michaelis archangeli anno xiiij""" Eegis nunc usque idem 
festum Sancti Micbaelis tunc proxime sequens, reddunt 
Computum de + mecccxxiiii li. vii. s. x. d. |. 

De quibijs 

Et in thesaurario 'in una tallia pro Johanna Heron, xiii li. 

vi s. viii d. 
Et in thesaurario in lina tallia pro Johanne Cabot, xx. li. 

From the Westminster Chapter Archives, Chapter Muni- 
ments 12243, entries nos. 2 and 3 : printed in E, Scott and A. 
E. Hudd, The Customs Boll of the Port of Bristol A.D. U96 
to lJt99, 11. 2, 3 and 4, Bristol, 1897, with facsimiles; S. E. 
Dawson, The Voyages of the Cabots in the Transactions of 
the Boyal Society of Canada, 2nd ser. Ill, s. II, 261, Ottawa, 
1897; Beazley, op. cit., 273-4; and Winship, op. cit, 66-7. 

XVa. 

Arthur Kemys and Richard ap Meryke, collectors of our 
lord the king's customs and subsidies of wool, leather and wool- 
pells in the port of the town of Bristol from Michaelmas [29 
September] in the 12th year of King Henry VII. to the same 
feast next following, render their account 

Bristol. Arthur Kemys and Richard ap Meryk, collectors of 
the king's customs and subsidies there from Michaelmas 
[29 September] in the 13th year of this king [1497] to 
the same feast next following, [29 September, 1498] ren- 
der their account of £1282 8s. ll^d. 

Out of which 

And in the treasury in one talley in the name of Thomas 
Lovell, Kt £100 

And in the treasury in one talley in the name of John 

Cabot £20 

Bristol, Arthur Kemys and Richard ap Meryke, collectors of 
the king's customs and subsidies there, from Michaelmas 
[29 September] in the 14th year of this king [1498] to 
the same feast next following, [29 September, 1499] ren- 
der their account of £1424 7s. lO^d. 



PRECURSORS OF C ARTIER 31 

Out of which 

And in the treasury in one talley in the name of John 

Heron j£13 6s. 8d. 

And in the treasury in one talley in the name of John 
Cahot £20. 

Also translated in Scott and Hudd, op. cit., leaves 5, 6 
and 7 ; and in Dawson, op. cit., loc. cit. 

XVI. 

28 Octoher 1499. 

LETTERS PATENT FROM KING EMMANUEL TO JOHN FERNANDEZ. 

Dom Manuel &, A quamtos esta nossa carta virem, f azemos 
saher, que Joham Ternamdez, morador em a nosa ilha Terceira 
nos disse que por servigo de Deos e nosso sse queira trabalhar de 
hyr buscar e descobrir algumas ilhas de nossa conquista aa sua 
custa, e vemdo nos seu boo desejo e preposito, aalem de Iho 
termos em servigo, a nos praz e Ihe prometemos por esta de Ihe 
darmos como de fecto daremos, a capitania de quallquer Ilha ou 
Ilhas, asy povoadas como despovoadas, que elle descobrill e achar 
novamente, e esto com aquellas remdas, homrras, proveitos e im- 
taresses com que temos dadas as capitariyas das nossas Ilhas da 
Madeira e das outras ; et por sua guarda e nossa lembramga Ihe 
mandamos dar esta carta per nos a sinada e assellada com o 
nosso sello pemdemte. Dada em a nossa cidade de Lixboa a 
xxbiij° dias de mes doutubro. Andre Fernamdes a fez anno de 
nosso Senhor Ihuu X° de mill iiij LR IX. 

From the Archivo nacional da Torre do Tombo at Lisbon, 
liv. XVI de Dom Manoel, fol. 39, and Livro das Ilhas, fol. 63': 
printed in Harrisse, Les CorteEeal, 44, note 1, Paris, 1883 ; 
Archivo dos Agores IV, 449, Ponta Delgada, 1884; and ibid 
XII, 360, Ponta Delgada, 1893. 

XVIa. 

King Emmanuel, etc., To as many as shall see this grant, 
we make known, that John Ferdandez, dwelling on our island 
of Terceria, has informed us, that for God's and our own 
service, he was desirous to make an effort to seek out and 
discover at his own expense some islands lying in our sphere 



32 CANADIAN AECHIVES 

of influence, and we, in view of this, his praiseworthy desire 
and intention, not only thank him for it, but it is our pleasure 
and we hereby promise to grant him, as indeed we shall grant 
him, the governorship of any island or islands, either inhabited 
or uninhabited, which he may discover and find anew, and this 
with the same revenues, honours, profits and advantages we 
have granted to the governors of our islands of Madeira and 
the others; and for his protection and as a memorandum to 
ourselves, we order this grant, signed and sealed by us with 
our hanging seal, to be given to him. Given in our city of 
Lisbon on 28 October. Andrew Fernandes made this in the 
year of our Lord Jesus Christ 1499. 

XVII. 

12 May 1500'. 

LETTEES PATENT TO GASPAK COKTE REAL,. 

Gaspar Corterreall : Doagam de qualquer Ilha ou Ilhas ou terra 
firme que ele descubrir ou achar. 

Dom Manuell, etc. A quamtos esta nosa carta de doagaaom 
virem, fazemos saber, que por quamto Gaspar Corte rreall, 
fidalguo da nosa casa, os dias pasados, se trabalhou per sy e a sua 
custa, com navyos e homes, de buscar e descubrir e achar com 
muyto seu trabalho e despesa de sua f azemda e peryguo de sua 
pesoa, algumas Ilhas e terra firme, e pelo comsyguymte o quer 
aimda agora comthenuar e por em hobra e fazer niso quamto 
poder por achar as ditas Ilhas e terra, e comsyramdo nos quamto 
noso servigo, homra e acrecemtamemto de nosos Eegnnos e Sen- 
horios sera, semelhamtes illias e terras serem descubertas e 
achadas por nosos naturaes, e como o dito Gaspar Corte reall 
por o asy querer fazer com tamto trabalho e peryguo he 
meregedor de toda honra e merce e acregemtamemto, por tamto 
nos praz que descobrimdo ele e achamdo alguma Ilha ou Ilhas 
ou terra firme, nos de noso proprio moto, poder reall e asaluto, 
temos por bem e Ihe fazemos mercee e doagaaom, e Ihe outor- 
gamos, quo em quaes quer ilhas ou terra firme que asy nova- 
raemte achar on descobrir, ele tenha e aja de nos, de juro e de 
herdade pera todo sempre, as capitanyas com as cousas seguimtes, 
a saber, a jnrdygam cyvell e cryrae, com toda algada e soperiori- 

1 Navarrete was of opinion that it was the intention of Ferdinand 
and Isabella in the summer of 1500 to send Juan Dornelos or Dorvelos to 
the region recently visited by the Cabots. M. F. de Navarrete, Coleccion 
de los viages, etc.. Ill, 41-2 and 77-8. Madrid, 1829. 



PRECURSORS or C ARTIER 33 

dade, alta e baixa, sem dele, nem de sens herdeiros e socesores 
poderem apelar nem agravar em nenlium caso, nem comth^-a quo 
seja, pera nos, nem per outra alguma pesoa que noso poder tenha ; 
e queremos que ele e seus herdeiros, e em noso nome e de nosos 
socesores tenliam asy e governem e re jam a terra ou Ilhas que 
asy achar livrememte e sem limitagam alguma na maneira que 
dito he, fjcando somemte a nos resguardado, quamdo necesario 
nos pareger mamdarmos la huma pesoa nosa que sayba como o 
dito Gaspar Corte rreall liusa da dita jui-digam e governamga da 
terra e nos trazer delo recado, pera que achamdo que nom husa 
ou governa as ditas Ilhas e terra como deve a servigo de Deus e 
noso, nos o castigarmos como virmos que he rrezam em sua 
pesoa somemte, sem nunca Ihe ser tirada a dita jurdygaaom, nem 
ser dela sospemso ; porem sendo caso que por nom viver asy bem 
como deve, o mamdemos vir a nos, per asy Ihe darmos na sua 
pesoa aquele castiguo que merece, como dito he, e emtam ele 
podera leixar e leixara nas ditas Ilhas e cada huma delas 
ou terra firme pesoa sua que por ele ouga e se chame e 
tenha a manistragam das cousas da justiga e governamga da terra 
em seu nome e asy como ele per sy o f arya, semdo porem tall 
pesoa de que nos sejamos comtemte; e outrosy queremos e nos 
praz que pola dita maneira de juro e herdade, de toda rremda 
que nos hy ouvermos ou ordenarmos que se aja asy em nosso 
tempo como em tempo de nosos socesores, asy por forall, que disto 
prazemdo a Deus fazemos, o fezerem, como per quallquer outr?. 
maneira que de nosas rremdas e direitos nas taes terras ou 
liylhas ordenarem ou fezerem ou ouverem, per quallquer titollo 
ou nome quo tenha, aja o dito Gaspar Corte rreall e seus her- 
deiros a quarta parte livrememte de todo o que asy nas ditas 
Ilhas ou terra em quallquer tenpo podermos aver; e semdo caso 
que nas ditas Ilhas ou cada huma delas ou terra firme que asy 
descobrir, se abram e aehem alguns resgates e tratos, taes que 
nos per nos somemte ou per nosos oficiaes quisermos trautar o 
negocear, em tall caso nos mamdaremos pagar e dar ao dito 
Gaspar Corte rreall e a todos seus socesores a quarta parte de 
todo aquelo que nos taes trautos e resgates se ouver de ganho, 
tirados os cabedaes e todos os custos que nos taes trautos e res- 
gates fezermos ; e isto mesmo se emtemdera e guardara no caso 
que nos os ditos trautos e resgates aremdemos, ou pera serem 
trautados per outras algmnas pesoas, dermos nosas licemgas e 
Ingare; semdo caso que os ditos trautos e resgates sejam de cali- 
dade que todas e quaesquer pesoas asy das ditas Ilhas como terra 

4473—3 



34 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

firme ou de nosos regnnos e Senhorios hos a jam e posam trautar 
e negocear asy como nos, emtam nom ficarmos obrigados a pagar 
dito quarto ; someinte Ihe daremos aquele dixeito que as outras 
pesoas ouverem de dar e pagar em nos ditos trautos e resgates, 
Ihe for posto e ordenado etc. Outrosy nos praz e queremos que 
ele e seus herdeiros a jam o direito das moemdas, sail e fornos e 
injenhos e setias dagoaa, e todo aquelo que os capitaes das outras 
Ilhas ora tem e busaam per nosas doagoes com suas alcaidarias 
mores e direitos delas, e com todalas outras onras, liberdades e 
preininemceas que por nos Ibe sam outorgadas; e por firmesa 
de todo Ibe mamdamos dar esta nosa carta e doagaaom per nos 
asynada e aselada de noso solo pemdemte, pela quail queremos e 
nos praz rreallmemte com todo noso Reall e asaluto poder, que 
o dito Gaspar Corte reall aja asy as capitanyas das ditas bylbas 
e terra com todallas ditas jurdygoes, cyves e crymes, e sopriori- 
dades e rremdas e direitos e imsygoees, como nesta carta se com- 
tbem, pera ele e todos seus berdeiros e socesores, que dele por 
linba direita mascolina descemderem. E nom avendo by filbo 
baraaom a que todo asy posar^ (sic) ficar, queremos que fique a 
sua fillia maior, e nom avemdo by filbo, nem fiUia, que em fique a 
seu paremte mais cbegado, macbo ou femea, segumdo em cyma 
se comtbem, e asy se guarde e rregylle em esta socesaaora dy por 
diamte, pera todo sempre, sem embarguo da ley memtall, nem de 
quaesquer lex capitoUos de cortes, bordenagoes, feitas e por 
fazer, que em quallquer maneira podesem comtrariar a quallquer 
cousa do que dito be desta nosa doagaaom, aquall emcomemda- 
mos a nosos socesores, que por nosa bemgaaom a cumpram e 
guardem, como nela be comtbeudo. Dada em a nosa villa de 
Symtra a XII dias de maio. Alvoro Fernamdez a fez, Anno 
do nacymemto de noso Senior Jesbu Cbristo de mill e quynbein- 
tos annos. ISTom seja duvida no rrespamcado dyz socessaom por 
que eu scripvam be fiz na verdade. 

From tlie Arcliivo nacional da Torre do Tombo, Lisbon, 
Chancery of Dom ]\tanuel, liv. XIII, fob 26 : idem of Dom. 
Joao III, liv. XXXV, fob 3; idem, liv. XLIX, fob 244; Liv. 
5° dos Misticos, fols. 46-7; and in tbe Livro das Ilbas, fob 62. 
Tbese copies do not differ: printed in the Archivo dos Aqores, 
III, 406-8, and IV, 497-9, Ponta Delgada, 1881 and 1884: E. 
A. de Bettencourt, Desc hrlmentos, guerras e conquistas dos 
Portuguezes em terras do Ultramar nos seculos XV, e XVI, 

^The letters patent of 1506 to Vasco Annes Corte Real have filho 
baram a que todo assi possa ficar. Cf. Alguns Documentor, p. 151. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 35 

137-41, Lisboa, 1881-2; Harrisse, op. cit., 196-9; and in 
Alguns Documentos do Archivo nacional da Torre do Tomho, 
150-2, Lisbon, 1892. 

XYIIa. 

grant to gaspar corte real of any island, islands or main- 
land he may discover or find. 

King Emmanuel, etc. . To as many as shall see this grant of 
ours we make known, that forasmuch as Gaspar Corte Keal, a 
nobleman of our court, has made efiPorts in the past, on his own 
account and at his own expense, with ships and men, to search 
out, discover and find by dint of much labour and expenditure 
of his wealth and at the risk of his life, some islands and a 
mainland, and in consequence is now desirous of continuing 
this search and of setting to work and doing whatever is possible 
in order to discover the said islands and mainland; and we 
taking into consideration how greatly it will redound to our 
service and honour, and to the increase of our kingdoms and do- 
mains, if such islands and mainlands should be discovered and 
found by subjects of ours, and since the said Gaspar Corte Real 
in virtue of his desire to carry this out, at such risk and the ex- 
penditure of so much labour, is worthy of all honour, favour and 
augmentation; for this cause it is our pleasure, and we are 
pleased of our own motion, royal and absolute power, should he 
discover and find any island or islands, or mainland, to grant 
and give him, and we do grant him by right and heredity for 
ever, the governorship of any islands or mainland he may thus 
discover or find afresh with the following privileges, to wit : civil 
and criminal jurisdiction, both high and low, with full power 
and authority, without appeal or redress from him or from his 
heirs and successors in any matter or sum of money, whether for 
us or for any person holding power of us ; and it is our wish 
that he and his heirs, both in our name and in that of our suc- 
cessors hold, govern and rule the mainland or islands so found, 
freely and without any hindrance whatsoever, in the manner 
above mentioned, agreeing only in regard to ourselves, that when- 
ever it may seem to us necessary, we may send thither one of 
our people to learn how the said Gaspar Corte Real is exercising 
the said jurisdiction and government of the mainland, and to 
bring us information thereof, in order that, should we find he 
does not rule or govern the said islands and mainland as is 

4473— 3i 



3f> CAXADIAN ARCHIVES 

fitting to God's service and our own, we may punish him as w^e 
think proper, in his person alone, without taking from him 
or relieving him of the said jurisdiction. ITevertheless should 
he not conduct himself properly, and should we order him to 
appear before us to receive in his person the punishment he de- 
serves, as has been said, he may and shall leave in the said 
islands and each of them, or on the uuiinland, one of his people 
to exercise and advance and carry on the administration of 
justice and government in his name and as he himself would 
if present, such person nevertheless being one agreeable to our- 
selves. And furthermore we desire and it is our pleasure, on 
account of the said right and title, that of all revenues we shall 
receive or order to bo raised there both in our time and in that of 
our successors, as well as by register, should it please God we or 
they draw up such, as in any other manner in which they, by 
virtue of ;niy title or quality whatsoever shall decree, order or 
liave onr revenues and rights collected in these lands and islands, 
the said Gaspar Corte Real and his heirs receive freely the 
fourth part of all we may thus be able to collect at any time in 
the said islands and mainland ; and should on the said islands 
or on each of them or on the mainland about to be discovered, 
any barter or trade be oi^ened or found, of such a nature that 
we either directly or through our officers should desire to trade 
and barter there, in this case we shall order to be paid and given 
to the said Gaspar Corte Eeal and to all his successors the 
fourth ])art of what is gained in this trade and barter, after 
payment of the principal and of the charges to Avhicli we have 
been put in this trade and barter ; and this will hold good and 
1)0 carried ont in case we should farm the said trade and barter 
or sliould give our licence and authority for them to be carried 
on by others ; and in ca'^e the said trade and barter be of a nature 
that all and any persons as well of the said islands and main- 
land, as of our kingdom and dominions may enjoy them and 
may trade and barter like ourselves, then we shall not remain 
under any obligation to pay the said fourth part, but shall only 
give him the same fee that the others are obliged to give and pay 
for our said trade and barter, which will be appointed and 
ordered to him, etc. Furthermore it is our pleasure and we 
desire tliat he and his heirs have the privilege of mills, salt, 
ovens, machines and mill-races and all that the governors of our 
other islands now have and enjoy by grants from us, with the 
oflice and iiower of governor of a fort and the rights thereto 
pertaining, and with all the other honours, privileges and powers 



PRECURSORS OF CAETIER 37 

that are granted to him by us ; and in witness of all we order 
this grant and charter of ours, signed and sealed with our hang- 
ing seal, to be given to him, by which we desire and it is our 
royal pleasure by virtue of all our royal and absolute power, 
that the said Gaspar Corte Real should thus hold the governor- 
ship of the said islands and mainland- with all the said civil 
and criminal jurisdictions, powers, revenues, rights and exemp- 
tions set forth in these letters, for him and for all his heirs and 
successors in direct male line. And should he have there no 
son, to whom he could leave all this, it is our wish that he leave 
it to his eldest daughter; and should he have there no son or 
daughter, he may leave it to his nearest male or female relative, 
according as is set forth above, and thus it be observed and car- 
ried out in this succession thencefor\\'ard for ever, notwithstand- 
ing any mental law or capital law of the Cortes, or statute 
made or to be made that could in any way run counter to any- 
thing set forth in this grant of ours, which we commend to our 
successors, for the sake of our benediction, to be fulfilled and 
carried out according to the tenour thereof. Given in our town 
of Cintra, 12 May. Alvoro Fernandez made this in the year of 
the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 1500. Let there be 
no doubt about any erasure in this grant for verily I the notary 
drew it up. 



XVIII. 

27 January, 1501. 

GRANT BY KING EM^FANUEE TO JOHN MARTINS. 
JOHAM MARTINZ DA ILIIA TERQEIRA PRIVILEGIO. 

Dom Manuell, &c. A todollos nossos capitaes, corregedores, 
juizes e justicas de nosos Regnos e senhorios e a quaaes quer 
outros oficiaes e pessoas a que o conhecimento desto pertemcer, 
per quallquer guisa que seja, e esta nosa carta for mostrada, ou 
trellado della em publica forma dado per autoridade de justica 
for apresentado, saude: sabede que esg-uardamdo nos ao muyto 
serviQO que de Gaspar Corte Reall, fidallguo de nosa casa, temos 
recebido no descobrimento da terra anumciada, e ao deamtc 
esperaraos receber. ]-)ello qual he merecedor de por ello Ihe fazer- 
mos toda merce e acracemtamento e asy aquelles que no dito 
descobrimento ho ajudaram e despenderam, Temos por bem 
e nos praz de tomarmos ora novamente por noso vasallo a Joara 



38 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

M'artinz, escudeiro, criado de Joham Vaaz Corte Reall, sseu pay, 
e juiz dos horfaaos na villa d'Amgra da Ilha Terceira, o qualJ 
queremos que daquy em diamte seja escusado, privillegiado e 
guardado que nom pague nem sirva em nem huas peitas, fimtas, 
talhas, pedidas, services, emprestidos, nem outros nem hiis 
emcareguos que pello comcelho ou lugar omde morar forem 
lamcados, per qualquer guisa que seja, nem o costramgam, nem a 
seus amoos e caseiros que vaam com presos, nem con dinheiros, 
nem com nem huas caregas, nem sejam titores, nem cur adores 
de nem hiias pessoas que sejam, salvo se as taaes tetorias forem 
lidimas, nem a jam ofigio do comcelho comtra suas vomtades. 
Outro sj mamdamos e defemdemos, que nom seja nem hum tarn 
ousado, de quallquer estado e comdicam que seja, que Ihe pousse 
em suas cassas de morada, adegas, nem cavalaricas, nem Ihe 
tomem seu pam, vinho, roupa, pallia, ceevada, lenha, galinhas, 
gadoos, nem bestas de sella, nem dalbarda, nem boys, nem carros, 
nem carretas, nem navyos, barquos e botes que tenham, nem 
outra nem hua cousa de seu comtra suas vomtades. E porem 
mamdamos que Ihe cumpraes e guardes e f agaes muy imteira- 
mente comprir e guardar esta nosa carta como em ella h© con- 
theudo sem embarguo de quaaesquer capitollos de cortes e 
ordenagooes que hy aja em contrario, ssob pena dos nossos 
emcoutos de seis mill ssollidos, que mandamos que pague pera 
nos quallquer que comtra ello for, os quaaes mandamos ao nosso 
almoxarife de cada huu lugar desa coreicam que os receba por 
nos daquelle ou daquelles que comtra esta nosa carta forem, em 
parte ou em todo. E mamdamos ao escripvam do almoxarifado 
que OS carregue sobre o dito almoxarife em recepta pera noa 
avermos dele booa recadagam ssob penna de as pagarem ambos 
de suas casas ; e em caso que Ihe alguns contra esta nosa carta 
queiram hyr, Mamdamos a vos, nosas justigas, que Iho nom com- 
semtaes, e fazee todo compridamente correger e emmendar como 
for direito e justiga, por que asy he nosa merce, e que o dito 
Joham Martinz, nosso vassallo, aja todallas homrras, liberdades, 
privilegios e ysemsones que por nos sam outorgados e sse nesta 
nosa carta conthem. Dada em Lixboa aos xxbii dias de 
Janeiro. Vicente Carneiro a ffez, anno do nasgimento de noso 
senhor Jesus Christo de mill e quinhemtos e hum anos. 

Erom the Archive nacional da Torre do Tombo, liv. XVII of 
D. Manoel, fol. 5 : printed in the Archivo dos Agores, III, 
195-6; Harrisse, op. cit, 199-201; and in Alguns Documentos 
do Archivo nacional da Torre do Tomho, 124-5. 



pkecuesoks of caetier 39 

XVIIIa. 

privilege granted to john martins of the island of 

TERCEIRA. 

King Emmanuel, etc. To all our governors, chief magis- 
trates, judges and law officers in our kingdoms and dominions, 
and to any other officials and persons whatsoever to whom the 
cognisance of this in any way appertains, and these letters of 
ours may be shown, or the copy thereof given in public form by 
judicial authority may be presented. Greeting: 

Know that in consideration of the many services we have 
received from Gaspar Corte Real, a nobleman of our court, in 
the discovery of the land foretold, and of that which we hope in 
future to receive, on which account he and those who shall aid 
him and spend their wealth in the said discovery are worthy of 
every favour and increase, we are pleased and it is our pleasure 
to receive as our vassal John Martins, Esquire, servant to John 
Vaz Corte Real, his [Gaspar's] father, and judge of the orphans 
in the town of Angra on the island of Terceira, whom hence- 
forth we desire to be exempt, freed and relieved from the pay- 
ment or service of any tributes, imposts, taxes, impositions, 
services, loans or any other charges imposed in any way whatso- 
ever by the council or village where he may dwell, nor shall 
they constrain him or his masters and husbandmen to go as 
prisoners, nor with money, nor with any kind of imposts, nor to 
be guardians or trustees of any one whatever, except such guar- 
dianships be legitimate, nor to hold office as counsellors against 
their will. Eurthermore we decree and order that no one, of 
whatsoever estate and condition, be so bold as to lodge in their 
dwelling-houses, cellars or stables, nor shall they take their 
bread, wine, clothes, straw, barley, wood, hens, cattle, or saddle- 
horses, nor their pack-saddle beasts, oxen, waggons, carts, ships, 
barques or boats, nor anything else of theirs against their will. 
And furthermore we order that you fulfill and carry out and 
cause to be fulfilled and carried out in its entirety this grant of 
Qurs according to the tenour thereof, any law of the Cortes or 
decree to the contrary notwithstanding, on pain of a fine of 
6,000 cts. which we order to be paid to us by any one disobeying 
it, and this sum is to be received for us by our tax-receiver in 
each village of that circumscription from him or them who dis- 
obey this grant of ours in whole or in part. And we order the 
clerk of the receiver's office to debit these moneys to the said 
receiver, to the end that we may have a correct receipt from him, 



40 CAXADIAiSr ARCIIIVKS 

on pain of the same being paid by both of them out of their own 
goods. And in case any persons should seek to disobey this decree 
of ours, we order you, our law officers, to prevent it, and to see 
that all is rectified and amended according to right and justice ; 
for such is our wish ; and that the said John Martins, our vasasl, 
enjoy all the honours, liberties, privileges and exemptions by us 
granted, and set forth in this our grant. Given in Lisbon on 
27 January. Vicente Carneiro made this in the year of the 
Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 1501. 



XIX. 

19 March, 1501. 

PETITION OF CERTAIN JMERCIIANTS TO HENRY VII FOR THE ISSUE 
OF LETTERS PATENT FOR DISCOVERY AND TRADE. 

Memorandum quod xix die marcii anno regni regis Hen- 
rici septimi xvi° [1501] ista billa deliberata fuit domino cus- 
todi magni sigilli Angiie apud Westmonasterium exequenda.' 

To the kyng our sovereyne lord : 

Please it your hignes of your most noble and haboundaunt 
grace to graunt unto your welbeloved subiectys Richard Warde, 
Thomas Asshehurst and John Thomas, merchauntys of your 
towne of Bristowe, and to John ffernandus, ffraunces ffernan- 
dus and John Gunsalus, Squyers, borne in the Isle of Surrys 
[sic pro Agores] under the obeisaunce of the kyng of Portin- 
gale, j'our gracious Letters patentis under your greate scale, in 
due forme to be made accordyng to the tenour hereafter ensuy- 
ing^, and that this byll, signyd with your gracious hand, may be 
to the Reverend ffader in God, Henry, bysshop of Salesbury, 
keper of your gret scale, sufficient and immediate warrant for 
the making, sealying, accomplysshyng of your seyd Letters 
pntentes, and they shall duryng ther lyves pray to God for the 
prosjierous contyiiuaunce of your most noble and ryall astate. 

From the Public Record Office, Chancery AVarrants for 
Privy Seals, Series IT, Xo. 216 (22nd in packet) : printed 
in [ Piddle], Memoir of Sehastian Cabot, etc., appendix 
D, p. 306, whence it was reprinted by Jones in his Introduction 
to Hakluyt's Divers Voyages, p. LXXIII. 

1 This paragraph in the original is written underneath the words 

" T.) the kyng our sovorcyne lord," but only because there was not room 
above. 

2 A copy was enclosed which corresponds with two exceptions to No. XX. 



PRECUKSORS OF C ARTIER 41 

XX. 

19 March, 1501. 

LETTERS PATENT TO RICHARD WARDE^ THOMAS ASHURST, AND 

JOHN THOMAS OF BRISTOL AND TO JOHN FERNANDEZ 

FRANCIS FERNANDEZ AND JOHN GONZALES OF 

THE AZORES. 

PRO CONCESSIONE RICARDO WARDE ET ALUS. 

Rex miiversis et singulis ad quos presentes litere nostre per- 
veneriiit, Salutem: Notum sit vobis et manifestum, qiiod ex 
certis consideracionibus nos moventibus, de advisamento consilii 
nostri, concessimus et lieenciam dedimus, prout per presentes 
concedimus et lieenciam damns, pro nobis et heredibus nostris, 
quantum in nobis est, dilectis subditis nostris Ricardo Warde, 
Thome Assliurst et Jolianni Thomas, mercatoribus ville nostre 
Bristollie, ac dilectis nobis Johanni ffernandus, ffrancisco 
ffernandus et Johanni Gunsalus, armigeris, in Insulis de Surrys, 
[sic 'pyo Agoribus] sub obediencia Regis Portugalie oriundis, et 
eornm culibet, ac cuiuslibet e°rum heredibus, attornatis, factori- 
bus sen deputatis, ac eis et eorum cuilibet plenam ac liberam 
auctoritatera, facultatem et potestatem committimus navigandi 
et se transferendi ad omnes partes, regiones et fines maris Ori- 
entalis, Occidentalis, Australis, Borialis et Septemtrionalis, sub 
banneris et insigniis nostris, cum tot et tantis et talibus navibus 
sive batellis quot sibi placu(3rint et necessarie f uerint, cuiuscum- 
que portagii quelibet navis sive batella existerit, cum magistris, 
contromagistris, marinariii?, pagettis aliisque hominibus pro 
gubernacione, salva custodia et defensione navium et batellarum 
predictarum competentibus, requisitis et necessariis, ad custus 
et onera dictorum Ricardi et aliorum predictorum et pro huius- 
modi salariis, vadiis et stipendiis, prout inter eos poterunt con- 
cordare, ad inveniendum, recuperandum, discooperiendum et 
investigandum insulas, patrias, regiones sive provincias quas- 
cumque gentilium et infidelium in quacumque mundi parte 
positas que Christianis omnibus ante hec tempora fuerunt et 
impresenciarum sunt incognite, ac huiusmodi banneras et in- 
signia nostra in quacumque villa, oppido, castro, insula sen 
terra firma a se sic noviter inventis affigendi, ipsaque villas, 
oppida, castra, insulas et terras firmas pro nobis et nomine 
nostro intrandi et capiendi, et ea tanquam vassalli nostri ac 
gubernatores, locatenentes et deputati nostri, eorundem dominio, 
titulo, dignitate et preeminencia eorundem nobis semper reserv- 



42 CANADIAN AKC HIVES 

atis, occupandi, possidendi et subiugandi. Et insuper quando- 
cumque imposteriim hiiiusmodi insule, patrie, terre et provincie 
per prefatos Eicardum et alios prenominatos adepte, recuperate 
et invente fuerint, tunc volumus et per presentes coneedimus, 
quod omnes et singule tarn viri quam femine huius regni nostri 
ceterique subditi nostri, terras et insulas liuiusmodi sic noviter 
inventas visitare et in eisdem inhabitare cupientes et desider- 
antes, possint et valeant licite et impune ad ipsas patrias, insul- 
as et loca, cum eorum navibus, hominibus et servientibus, rebus 
et bonis suis universis, transire, et in eisdem sub proteccione et 
regimine dictorum Kicardi et aliorum prenominatorum morari 
et inhabitare, diviciasque, fructus et emolumenta terrarum, 
patriarum et locorum predictorum acquirere et optinere, dantes 
insuper et concedentes prefatis Ricardo, Thome et Johanni, 
Johanni, ffrancisco et Johanni, et eorum cuilibet, plenam tenore 
presencium, potestateni et auctoritatem omnes et singulos 
homines, marinarios ceterasque personas ad insulas, patrias, 
provincias, terras firmas et loca predicta, ex causa predicta, se 
divertentes et confluentes, tam in comitiva dictorum Ricardi et 
aliorum prenominatorum, quam in comitiva aliorum illuc im- 
posterum recursum habere contingencium, tam supra mare 
quam in insuliis (sic), patriis, terris firmis et locis huiusmodi, 
postquam inventa et recuperata fuerint, regendi et gubernandi, 
legesque ordinaciones, statuta et proclama clones pro bono et 
quieto regimine et gubernacione dictorum hominum, magistro- 
rum, marinariorum et aliarum personarum predictarum faci- 
endi, stabiliendi, ordinandi et constituendi et superinde procla- 
maciones faciendi, ac omnes et singulos quos in hac parte con- 
traries et rebelles ac legibus, statutis et ordinacionibus predictis 
inobedientes invenerint, ac omnes illos qui furtum, homicidia, 
rapinas commiserint et perpetraverint, aut aliquas mulieres 
insularum seu patriarum predictarum contra earum voluntatem 
aut aliter rapuerint et violaverint, juxta leges et statuta per 
ipsos in hac parte ordinata castigandi et puniendi. Ac eciam 
concessimus prefatis Ricardo, Thome, Johanni, Johanni, ffran- 
cisco et Johanni, heredibus et assignatis suis, quod postquam 
alique insule, patrie, terre firme, regio seu provincia impost- 
erum per ipsum Ricardum et alios prenominatos invente fuer- 
int, tunc non licebit alicui seu aliquibus subdito seu subditis 
[nostris]\ durante termino decern annorum proximo et imme- 
diate sequencium, ad ipsas villas, patrias, insulas, terras firmas 

1 The words in brackets are omitted in the Patent Roll but are to be 
found in the Warrant copy. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 43 

et loca, causa mercandisandi ac bona acqiiirendi, absque licencia 
et permissione dictorum Ricardi et aliorum prenominatorum, 
heredum et assignatorum suorum, cum suis navibus frequentare 
aut se divertere, aut in eadem ingredi, sen in eisdem pro aliqui- 
bus bonis acquireudis intromittere ; et post terminum dictorum 
decern annorum, quod nuUus ex nostris subditis ad aliquam 
terram firmam, insulam, patriam sen locum per ipsos Ricardum 
et Thomam et alios predictos sic noviter inventa, navigare et 
frequentare presumat, absque licencia nostra et dictorum 
Ricardi et ceterorum predictorum, sub pena amissionis et foris- 
facture omnium bonorum, mercandisarum, rerum et naviuni 
quorumcumque ad ea loca sic noviter inventa navigare et in 
eadem ingredi presumencium, videlicet, una medietas inde erit 
ad opus nostrum et alia medietas ad opus dictorum Ricardi et 
aliorum prenominatorum et heredum suorum. 

Et ulterius ex habundanti gratia nostra concessimus et per 
presentes concedimus pro nobis et heredibus nostris, quantum 
in nobis est, prefatis Ricardo, Thome, Johanni, Johanni, 
ffrancisco et Johanni, et eorum cuilibet, heredibus et assignatis 
suis, quod ipsi et eorum quilibet mercandisas et mercimonia, 
aurum et argentum in massa, lapides preciosos, et alia bona que- 
cumque de crescentia patriarum, insularum et locorum predict- 
onim per ipsos sic recuperandorum et inveniendorum, tam in 
dictis navibus et batellis quam aliis quibuscumque navibus 
exteris a dictis patriis, insulis, terris firmis et locis in hoc reg- 
num nostrum Anglie ad quemcumque portum sen alium locum 
eiusdem adducere et cariare, et adduci seu cariari facere possit 
et valeat, eaque vendere et distribuere ad eorum proficuum et 
avantagium, aliquo statuto, actu, ordinacione, restricione seu 
mandate incontrarium facto non obstante. 

Ac nos intime considerantes grandia custus et onera que 
circa premissa facienda et perimplenda requiruntur, volentes 
igitur prefatis Ricardo, Thome et aliis memoratis personis 
gratiam proinde facere specialem, concessimus et per presentes 
concedimus eisdem, heredibus et assignatis suis, quod ipsi et 
eorum quilibet, heredes et assignati sui predicti, de tempore in 
tempus, durante termino quatuor annorum a tempore recuperaci- 
onis et invencionis insularum et patriarum predictarum, 
13roximo et immediate sequencium, m,ercandisas et mercimonia 
ceteraque bona in una navi tantum cuiuscumque portagii fuerit 
eskippata et onusta, ac in hoc regnum nostrum Anglie adducenda 
et transportanda, in portu seu loco predicto ad terram ponere, 
eaque vendere, exponere, et pro libito suo distribuere possint, de 



44 CAXADIAlSr AKCIIIVES 

tempore in tempus, quolibet viagio, durante termino dictorum 
quatiior annoriim, absque aliquibus custumis, subsidiis, sen 
aliis deveriis i^ro eisdem bonis, mercinioniis et ceteris premissis 
in dicta unica navi tantuni contentis et eskippatis, nobis aut 
heredibus nostris infra dictum regnum nostrum Anglie aliqua- 
liter solvendis. Proviso tamen quod nobis de custumis, subsid- 
iis, pondagiis et aliis deveriis nobis pro ceteris mercandisis, 
mercimoniis et bonis in omnibus aliis navibus contentis debitis, 
juxta consuetudinem in hoc regno nostro Anglie hactenus 
usitatam, fideliter respondeatur, ut est justum. Et insuper 
volumus et concedimus per presentes, quod quilibet capitalis 
magistcr, contromagister et marinarius cuiuslibet navis ad 
aliquam terram firmam, insulam, patriam, provinciam et locum 
jjredicta frequentantis et navigantis, habeant et gaudeant et 
percipiant de bonis et mercimoniis a dictis insulis, terris iirniis 
et patriis in hoc regnum nostrum Anglie adducendis, custumas 
et subsidia sequencia, videlicet, quod quilibet magister liabeat, 
gaudeat et percipiat subsidia et custumas, quolibet viagio, 
quatuor doliorum, et quilibet contromagister vel quartermaster 
custumas et subsidia duoruni doliorum, ac quilibet marinarius 
custumas et subsidia unius dolii, licet sint carcata et eskippata 
ut bona sua propria aut ut bona alicuius alterius persone cuius- 
cumque; Et hoc absque aliquibus custumis, subsidiis, debitis 
sen deveriis infra hoc regnum nostrum Anglie ad opus nostrum 
aut heredum nostrorum pro eisdem doliis aliqualiter solvendis 
sen petendis, 

Et si contigat aliquem vel aliquos mercatorem seu merca- 
tores huius regni nostri ad dictas insulas, patrias et loca sub 
licencia dictorum subditorum nostrorum, aut absque licencia 
sua, causa habcndi mercandisas et mercimonia, adventare et 
laborare, ac bona et mercimonia ab eisdem partibus in hoc 
regnum nostrum adducere, tunc volumus et concedimus per 
presentes prefatis Ricardo, Thome, Johanni, Johanni, ffran- 
cisco et Johanni, heredibus et assignatis suis, quod ipsi, durante 
termino decem annorum antedicto, habeant de quolibet huius- 
modi mercatore, solutis nobis custumis, subsidiis et aliis deveriis 
nobis in hac parte debitis et consuetis, vicesimam partem 
omnium huiusmodi bonorum et mercimoniorum per ipsos a dic- 
tis insulis, patriis et locis quolibet viagio, durante dicto termino 
decem annorum, in hoc regnum nostrum Anglie traducendorum 
et cariandorum, habendam et capiendam huiusmodi vicesimam 
partem in portu ubi contigerit dicta bona discarcari et exon- 
erari. Proviso semper quod predicti Picardus et alii predicti. 



PRECUESOKS OF CAETIER 45 

heredes et assignati siii et non alii omnino imposterum, durante 
clicto termino decern amiorum, sint factores et attornati in dictis 
insulis, terris firmis et patriis pro quibuscnmque huiusmodi 
niercatoribus aliisque |:>ersonis illuc ex ca^^sa predicta confluenti- 
bus, in et pro eorum factis mercatoriis in eisdem. Proviso eciani 
quod nulla navis cum bonis et mereandisis a dictis partibus sic 
no^qter inventis carcata et onusta, postquam in aliquem portum 
luiius regni nostri adducta fuerit, non exoneretur de eisdem 
bonis et mereandisis nisi in presencia prefatorum Kicardi et 
I'll ruin predictorum, eorumve heredum sen deputatorum ad hoc 
assignandorum, sub pena forisfacture eorundem bonorum et 
mercandisarum, unde una medieta-s ad opus nostrum et alia 
medietas prefatis Ricardo et aliis preuominatis et heredibus 
snis applicantur. Et si imposterum aliqui extranei aut alio 
persone ad ipsas partes contra voluntatem ipsorum Ricardi et 
aliorinn prenominatorum, causa liabendi divicias navigare, et eas 
vi et armis ingredi, ac dictos Ricardum et alios predictos aut 
lieredes suos ibidem insultare, ac eos expellere et debellare aut 
alias inquietare presumpserint, quod tunc volumus, ac eisdem 
subditis nostriSj tenore presencium, potestatem damns et com- 
mittimus, ipsos extraneos, licet sint subditi et vassalli alicuius 
Principis nobiscum in liga et amicicia existentis, totis suis viri- 
bus, tarn jjer terram quam |)er mare et aquas dulces, expugnandi, 
resistendi, et guerram contra eos levandi et faciendi, eosque capi- 
endi, subpeditandi et incarcerandi ibidem, quousque fines et 
redempciones eisdem subditis nostris fecerint moraturos, aut 
alias secundum sanam discrecionem ipsorum subditorum nostro- 
rnm et heredum suorum castigandi et puniendi. 

At eciam prefatis subditis nostris ceterisque personis pre- 
dictis plenam, tenore presencium, potestatem damns et committ- 
imus sub se quoscumque capitaneos, locatenentes et deputatos in 
singulis civitatibus, villis, oppidis et locis dictarum insularum, 
provinciarnm, patriarum et locorum predictorum, ad regendum 
et gubernandum omnes et singailas personas in eisdem partibus, 
sub regimine et gubernacione dictorum subditorum nostrorum 
ibidem commorancium, ac ad justiciam eisdem, secundum 
tonorem et effectum ordinacionum, statutorum et proclama- 
cionum predictorum, debite exequendam et administrandam, per 
literas suas patentes, sigillis eorum sigillandas, faciendi, consti- 
tuendi, nominandi et substituendi. Et insuper concessimus ot 
per presentes concedimus prefatis Picardo, Thome, Johanni, 
Johanni, ffrancisco et Johanni, ad terminum vita sue et cuius- 
libet eorum diucius viventis, officium Admiralli supra mare in 



46 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

qiiibuscumque locis, patriis et provinciis a se sic noviter inventis 
et imposterum inveniendis et recuperandis, ipsosque Ricardum, 
Tliomam, Jobannem, Johannem, ffranciscum et Johaimem et 
eorum qiiemlibet coniunctim et divisim Admirallos nostros in 
eisdem partibus f acimus, constituimus, ordinamiis et deputamus 
per presentes, dantes et concedentes eisdem et eorum cuilibet 
plenam, tenore preseneium, potestatem et auctoritatem, ea omnia 
et singula que ad officium admirallitatis pertinent, faciendi, ex- 
ercendi et exequendi, secundum legem et consuetudinem mariti- 
mam in hoc regno nostro Anglie usitatam. 

Ac eciam postquam prefati Ricardus Warde, Thomas Ash- 
hurst et Johannes Thomas ac Johannes ifernandus, ffranciscus 
ffernandus et Johannes Gunsalus aliquas terras firmas, insulas, 
patrias et provincias, oppida, castra, civitates et villas per 
assistenciam nostram sic invenerint, optinuerint et subiugaver- 
int, tunc volumus et per presentes concedimus eisdem, heredibus 
et assignatis suis, quod ipsi et heredes sui habeant, teneant et 
possideant sibi, heredibus et assignatis suis, omnia et singula, 
talia et tanta terras firmas, insulas, patrias, provincias, castra, 
oppida, fortallicia, civitates et villas, qualia et quanta ipsi ac 
homines, tenentes et servientes sui possunt inhabitare, custodire, 
sustinere et manutenere, habendas et tenendas easdem terras, 
insulas et loca predicta sibi, heredibus et assignatis suis et 
cuiuslibet eorum, de nobis et heredibus nostris imperpetuum, 
per fidelitatem tantum, absque aliquo compote sen aliquo alio 
nobis aut heredibus nostris proinde reddendo sen faciendo, digni- 
tate, dominio, regalitate, jurisdiccione et preeminencia in eisdem 
nobis semper salvis et omnino reservatis. Et ulterius concessi- 
mus prefatis Ricardo, Thome, Johanni, Johanni, ffrancisco, 
Johanni, quod ipsi, heredes et assignati sui dictas terras firmas, 
insulas et patrias, ipsis et heredibus suis predictis, ut premitti- 
tur, sic concessis, postquam invente et recuperate sint, ac cum in 
])lena possessione earundem fuerint, teneant, possideant et 
gaudeant libere, quiete et pacifice, absque impedimento aliquali 
nostri aut heredum nostrorum quorumcuraque. Et quod nullus 
ex subditis nostris eos aut eorum aliquem de et super posses- 
sione et titulo suis de et in dictis terris firmis, insulis et patriis 
se aliqualitcr contra voluntatem suam expellat quovis modo. 
Promittentes bona fide et in verbo regio nos ratum, gratum et 
firmum habituros totum et quicquid prefati Ricardus, Thomas, 
Johannes, Johannes, ffranciscus et Johannes et eorum quilibet 
pro premissorum complemento fecerint, fierique procuraverint 
in hac parte. Et quod nos aut heredes nostri nullo unquam 



PRECUKSOKS OF CAKTIER 47 

tempore in futurum ipsos aut eorum aliquem heredesve et assig- 
natos suos in jure, titulo et possessione suis inquietabimus, ini- 
pediemus, aut molestiam eis faciemus, nee per alios nostros sub- 
ditos aut alios quoscumque, quantum in nobis fuerit, fieri seu 
procurari permittemus seu procurabimus, nee ipsos, lieredes et 
assignatos suos pro aliqua causa imposterum emergente seu 
contingente ab eisdem terris firmis, patriis, provinciis et locis 
nullo modo ammovebimus aut ammoveri seu expelli per suB- 
ditos nostros procurabimus. 

Et ulterius, ex uberiori gratia nostra speciali et mero motu 
nostro, concessimus et per presentes concedimus, pro nobis et 
heredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, Johanni ffernandus, 
ffrancisco ffernandus et Johanni Gunsalus, armigeris, in insulis 
de Surris [sic pro Agoribus], subditos Eegis Portugalie oriund- 
is, et eorum cuilibet, quod ipsi et eorum quilibet ac omnes 
liberi sui tam procreati quam procreandi imperpetuum sint 
indigeni et ligei nostri, et heredum nostrorum, et in omnibus 
causis, querelis, rebus et materiis quibuscumque habeantur, 
pertractentur, teneantur, reputentur et gubernentur tanquam 
veri et fideles ligei nostri infra regnum nostrum Anglie oriundi 
et non aliter nee alio modo. Et quod ipsi et omnes liberi sui 
predict! omnimodo actiones reales, personales et mixtas in 
omnibus curiis, locis et jurisdiccionibus nostris quibuscumque 
habere, exercere, eisque uti et gaudere, ac eas in eisdem placit- 
are et implacitari, respondere et responderi, defendere et 
defendi possint, et eorum quilibet possit, in omnibus et per 
omnia sicuti veri et fideles ligei nostri infra regnum nostrum 
predictum oriundi. Et quod ipsi et eorum quilibet terras, tene- 
menta, redditus, reversiones, servicia et alias possessiones que- 
cumque tam in dominio quam in reversione infra dictum 
regnum nostrum Anglie ac alia dominia et loca sub obediencia 
nostra perquirere, capere, recipere, habere, tenere, possidere et 
hereditare sibi, heredibus et assignatis suis imperpetuum vel 
alio modo quocumque, ac ea dare, vendere, alienare et legare 
cuicumque persone sive quibuscumque personis sibi placuerit 
libere, quiete, licite et impune possint, et quilibet eorum possit, 
ad libitum suum adeo libere, integre et pacifice sicut possit et 
valeat aliquis ligeorum nostrorum infra regnum nostrum 
Anglie oriundus. Ita tamen quod predicti Johannes ffernan- 
dus, fpranciscus et Johannes Gunsalus et omnes liberi sui pre- 
dicti solvant aut solvi faciant et eorum quilibet solvat seu solvi 
faciat talia custumas, subsidia et alia deveria pro bonis, merci- 
bus, mercandisis et mercimoniis suis in regnum nostrum Anglie 



48 CANADIAN AKCIIIVES 

adducendis vel extra idem regniim educeridis, qualia alienigeni 
nobis solvant aut solvere deberent vel consucverimt. Et quod 
iidem Johannes ffernandus, ffranciscus et Johannes Gimsalus et 
omnes liberi sni predict! de cetero in futurum, colore sen vigore 
alicuiiis statnti, ordinacionis sive concessionis in parliamento 
nostro aut extra parliamentum nostrum facti vel fiend i, non 
artentur, teneantur sen compellantur, nee eorum aliquis artetur, 
teneatur sen compellatur ad solvendum, dandum, faciendum vel 
supportandum nobis vel alicui heredum nostrorum sen cuicum- 
que alteri aliqua taxas, tallagia sen alia onera quecumque pro 
terris, tenementis, bonis vel personis suis preterquam talia et 
tanta, qualia et quanta alii fideles ligei nostri infra dictum 
regnuni nostrum oriundi pro bonis, terris, tenementis seu per- 
sonis suis solvunt, dant, faciunt vel supportant aut solvere, dare, 
facere vel supportare concomiter consueverunt et teneantur, sed 
quod predicti Johannes ffernandus, ffranciscus et Johannes 
Gunsalus et omnes liberi sui predicti habere et possidere valeant 
et possint, et eorum quilibet valeat et possit, omnia et omnimodo 
alia libertates, privilegia, ffranchesias et custumas, ac eis uti et 
gaudere possint, et eorum quilibet possit, infra dictum regnum 
nostrum Anglie, jurisdiccioncs et dominia nostra quecumque 
adeo libere, quiete, integre et pacifice sicut ceteri ligei nostri 
infra idem regnum nostrum oriundi concomiter habent, utuntur 
et gaudent, aut habere, possidere, uti et gaudere debeant et 
valeant, aliquo statuto, actu, ordinacione vel aliqua alia causa, 
re vel materia quacumque non obstante. Proviso semper quod 
prefati Johannes ffernandus, ft"ranciscus et Johannes Gunsalus 
homagium ligeum nobis faciant et eorum quilibet faciat ac 
lotto et scotto et aliis oneribus in regno nostro predicto ubilibet 
debitis et consuetis contribuant et eorum quilibet contribuat, 
prout alii ligei nostri infra dictum regnum nostrum oriundi 
faciunt. Proviso eciam quod iidem eTohannes ffernandus, ffran- 
ciscus et Johannes Gunsalus solvant et eorum quilibet solvat 
nobis et heredibus nostris tot et tanta custumas, subsidia et alia 
deveria pro bonis et mercandisis suis prout alienigeni nobis solv- 
ere et reddere teneantur. 

Et ulterius, ex uberiori gratia nostra, eoneessimus ]u*efatis 
Ricardo, Thome, Johannj, Johanni, ffraneisco et Johanni, quod 
ipsi habeant presentes literas nostras in Cancellaria nostra 
absque aliquo fine seu feodo, aut aliquibus finibus seu feodis pro 
eisdem literis nostris aut aliqua parte earundem aut pro magno 
sigillo nostro, ad opus nostrum in hanaperio dicte Cancellarie 
nostre aliqualiter solvendis. Et volumus et concedimus per pre- 



PRECUESOES OF CARTIEK 49 

sentes quod Reverendissimus in Christo pater HenricMij^, Epis- 
copus Sariim, ■ Gustos magni sigilli nostri, auctoritate presentis 
concessionis uostre, fieri faciat et sigillari tot et talia brevia, sub 
magno sigillo nostro sigillanda, custodi sive clerico hanaperii 
nostri dirigenda, pro exoneracione dictorum finium etfeodorum, 
quot et qualia in hac parte necessai'ia fuerint et requisita, absque 
aliquo alio warranto aut prosecucione penes [nos] in hac parte 
faciendis. 
■ In cuius rei, etc. 

Teste Eege apud Westmonasterium xix die marcii. 

Per ipsuni Eegem, et de data predicta, etc. 

Et mandatum est Custumariis sive Collectoribus custum- 
arum et subsidiorum Regis in portu ville sue BristoUie qui nunc 
sunt et qui pro tempore erunt, quod ipsi prefatos Ricardum, 
Thomam, Johannem^ Johannem, ffranciscum et Johannem, et 
eorum quemlibet, heredes et assignatos suos, bona, mercandisas, 
mercimonia quecumque in dicta unica navi contenta, onusta et 
eskippata, cuiuscumque portagii fuerit, a dictis insulis, patriis 
et locis per ipsos, ut predicitur, inveniendis et recuperandis, in 
dictum portum BristoUie traducenda et transportanda, de tem- 
pore in tempus, quolibet viagio, durante termino dictorum qua- 
tuor annorum a tempore recuperacionis et invencionis insula- 
rum, patriarum et locorum predictorum, absque -aliquibus custu- 
mis, subsidiis seu alii& deveriis dicto domino Regi sen heredibus 
suis pro eisdem bonis, mercandisis et mercimoniis solvendis in 
portu predicto, ad terram ponere, eaque vendere, exponere et pro 
libito suo' distribuere permittant, juxta tenorem literarum pre- 
dictarum, ipsosque contra tenorem earundem non molestantes 
seu gravantes. 

Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium xix die marcii. 

Et mandatum est prefatis Custumariis sive Collectoribus in 
portu predicto qui nunc sunt et qui pro tempore erunt, quod ipsi 
prefatos magistros, contromagistros, vel quartermasters et mar- 
inarios cuiuslibet navis ad aliquam terram firmam, insulam, 
patriam et locum predicta navigantis et frequentantis, et eorum 
quemlibet custumas et subsidia doliorum predictorum, modo et 
forma supraspecificatis, absque aliquibus custumis, subsidiis et 
aliis deveriis dicto domino Regi pro eisdem doliis, seu eorum 
aliquo, aliqualiter solvendis, in et pro quolibet viagio, de tempore 
in tempus habere, gaudere et percipere permittant, juxta ten- 

4473—4 



50 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

orem literarum predictarum, ipsosque aut eorum aliquem contra 
tenorem earundem non molestantes in aliquo sen gravantes. 

Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium xix die mareii. 

From the Public Eecord Office, Patent Roll Is^. 587,. 
membranes 20 and 21 ; unpublished. The copy j^reserved under 
Chancery Warrants for Privy Seals, ser. ii, No. 216 (22nd in 
packet), will be found printed in [Piddle], A Memoir of Sebas- 
tian Cabot, appendix D, 306-14, whence it was copied by Jones 
in his Introduction to Hakluyt's Divers Voyages, LXXIII- 
LXXXV; and reprinted from the same source in the Archivo 
dos Agores, IV°., 450-63, Ponta Delgada, 1884. 

XXa\ 

In regard to the grant to Richard Wards and others. 

The King to all and singular to whom our present letters 
patent shall come, Greeting: Be it known to you and made 
manifest that we, for certain considerations us moving, by the 
advice of our Council, have granted and given licence, as by 
these presents we grant and give licence for us and our heirs, as 
far as in us lies, to our well-beloved subjects Richard Warde, 
Thomas Ashehurst and John Thomas, merchants of our town 
of Bristol, and to our well-beloved John Fernandez, Francis 
Fernandez and John Gonzales, Esquires, of the Islands of the 
x\zores in the dominions of the King of Portugal, and to any 
one of them, and to the heirs, attorneys, factors or deputies of 
any one of them, and to them and any one of them we grant 
full and unrestricted authority, faculty and power to sail 
and transport themselves to all parts, regions and territories of 
the eastern, western, southern, arctic and northern seas, under 
our banners and ensigns, with so many and so large and such 
ships or vessels as may be agreeable to them and may be neces- 
sary, of whatsoever burthen any shii3 or vessel may be, with 
masters, mates, mariners, pages and other men competent, 

1 In the letters patent issued to Alonso de Hojeda on 8 June, 1501, 
•rivi'iMr bim nntlinritv to revisit tbo roast of P?ria and "to discover 
islands and mainland of any sort whatsoever in the Ocean," the follow- 
ing sentences occur: "Item: Que vaes e sigais aquella costa que descub- 
ristes, q\ie se corre leste-ueste, se<(un parece, por razon que valiScia la 
parte donde se ha sabido que descubrian los ingleses, 6 vais poniendo las 
maroas con las armas de SS. AA., 6 con ctras senales que sean conocidas, 
cuales vos pareciere, porque se conozca como vos babes descubierto 
ac|uella tierra, para que atages el descubrir de los ingleses por aquella 
via " et«s. Navarrete on. cit. IIL 86. Vid. Juan de la. Cosa's man. 



PRECUESOES OF CAETIEE 51 

requisite and necessary for the piloting, safeguard and defense 
of the aforesaid ships and vessels, at the cost and charges of the 
said Richard and of the others aforesaid, and at such salaries, 
wages and pay as they may agree upon among theniselves, to 
find, recover, discover and search out whatsoever islands, coun- 
tries, regions or provinces of heathens and infidels, in whatever 
part of the world they may lie, which before this time were and 
at present are unl^nown to all Christians, and to set up our 
banners and ensigns in any town, city, castle, island or main- 
land by them thus newly found, and to enter and seize these 
same towns, cities, castles, islands and mainlands for us and in 
our name, and as our vassals and governors, lieutenants and 
deputies to occupy, possess and subdue these, the property, title, 
dignity and suzerainty of the same being always reserved to us. 
And furthermore whenever henceforth such islands, countries, 
lands and provinces shall be acquired, recovered and found by 
the aforesaid Richard and the others before-named, then we 
will and by these presents grant, that all and singular as well 
men as women of this our kingdom and the rest of our subjects, 
wishing and desiring to visit these lands and islands thus 
newly found, and to inhabit the same, shall be allowed and have 
power to go freely and in safety to the same countries, islands 
and places with their ships, men and servants, and all their 
goods and chattels, and to dwell in and inhabit cue same under 
the protection and government of the said Richard and of the 
others aforesaid, and to acquire and keep the riches, fruits and 
profits of the lands, countries and places aforesaid ; giving fur- 
thermore and granting to the aforesaid Richard, Thomas and 
John, John, Francis and John, and to any one of them, by the 
tenour of these presents, full power and authority to rule and 
govern all and singular the men, sailors and other persons 
removing and making their way for the aforesaid purpose 
to the islands, countries, provinces, mainlands and 
places before-mentioned, as well in the company of the said 
Richard and of the others aforesaid, as in the company of 
people happening afterwards to betake themselves there, 
both on the sea as well as in these islands, coun- 
tries, mainlands and places after they have been found and re- 
covered, and to make, set up, ordain and appoint laws, ordin- 
ances, statutes and proclamations for the good and peaceful 
rule and government of the said men, masters, sailors and other 
persons aforesaid, and also to issue proclamation? to chastise 

4473-4i 



62 C.VX.VDIAN ARCIIIVKS 

and piiiiisli according- to the laws and statutes set up bj them 
in that region all and singular those whom they may find there 
hostile and rebellious and disobedient to the laws, statutes and 
ordinances aforesaid, and all who shall commit and per- 
I)etrato theft, homicide or robberies or who shall rape and viol- 
ate against their will or otherwise any women of the islands or 
countries aforesaid. And furthermore we have granted to the 
aforesaid Richard, Thomas, John, John, Francis and John, 
their heirs and assigns, that w^ien any islands, countries, main- 
lands, region or province shall henceforth be discovered by the 
same Richard and the others aforesaid, then it shall not be law-, 
ful for any subject or subjects [of ours], during the term of 
ten years next and immediately following, to visit with their 
ships or to make their way to the same towns, countries, islands, 
mainlands and places, for the purpose of trading and obtaining 
goods, without the licence and permission of the said Richard 
and of the others aforesaid, their heirs and assigns, or to enter 
the same, or to send into the same to obtain any goods ; and that 
after the term of the said ten years, none of our subjects shall 
presume to sail to or visit any mainland, island, country or 
place thus newly found bv the said Richard and Thomas and 
the others aforesaid without our licence and that of the said 
Richard and of the others aforesaid, on pain of the loss and for- 
feiture of all the goods, merchandise, commodities and vessels 
whatsoever daring to sail to these places thus newly 
discovered and to enter the same, namely, one-half of the same 
to be for our use, and the other half for the use of the said 
Richard and of the others aforesaid and of their heirs. 

And furthermore of our abundant grace we have granted 
and by these presents grant for us and our heirs, as far as in us 
lies, to the aforesaid Richard, Thomas, John, John, Francis 
and John and any one of them, their heirs and assigns, that 
they and any one of them shall have power and permission to 
bring and trans])ort and cause to be brought or transported 
merchandise and wares, gold and silver in bar, precious stones, 
and other goods whatsoever grown in the countries, islands and 
places aforesaid by them thus to be recovered and found, as 
well in the said ships and vessels as in other strange ships what- 
soever, from the said countries, islands, mainlands and places 
into this our realm of England, to any port whatsoever or other 
place in the same, and to sell and distribute these for their own 
profit and advantage, any statute, act, ordinance, restriction or 
order made to the contrary notwithstanding. 



PRECUKSOKS OF CARTIER 5I> 

And we, bearing in mind most especially the heavy costs 
and charges which are required for the performance and exe- 
cution of the above, wishing therefore to do special favour in 
like manner to the aforesaid Richard, Thomas and the other 
j^ersons mentioned, have granted and by these presents grant 
to the same, their heirs and assigns, that they and any one of 
them, their heirs and assigns aforesaid, may from time to time 
during the term of four years from the date of the recovery 
and discovery of the islands and countries aforesaid next and 
immediately following, land in the port or place aforesaid the 
merchandise and wares and other goods, loaded and carried on 
one vessel, of so great tonnage whatsoever she be, and which are 
to be brought and transported into this our realm of England, 
and may sell, expose and distribute these at their pleasure from 
time to time after any voyage during the term of the said four 
years, without in any way paying to us or to our heirs within our 
said realm of England, any customs, subsidies or other dues on 
tliG same goods, merchandise and other things aforesaid con- 
tained and carried in the said one vessel only. Provided never- 
theless that with regard to the customs, subsidies, pondages and 
other dues to be paid on the rest of the merchandise, wares and 
goods on board all the other vessels, true answers, as is right, be 
given to us, according to the practice hitherto prevailing in this 
our realm of England, And furthermore we will and grant by 
these presents that any chief master, mate and sailor of any 
ship whatsoever visiting and sailing to any mainland, island, 
country, province and place aforesaid, may have, enjoy and re- 
ceive of the goods and wares to be brought from the said islands, 
mainlands and countries into this our realm of England, the 
following customs and subsidies, ..namely: that any master may 
have, enjoy and receive on any voyage the customs and sub- 
sidies of four tons, and any mate or quartermaster tlie customs 
and subsidies of two tons, and any sailor the customs and sub- 
sidies of one ton, even though they be loaded and carried as his 
own goods or as the goods of any other person whatsoever ; and 
this without any customs, subsidies, dues or duties being in any 
way paid or asked for the same tonnage within this our realm 
of England for our needs or those of our heirs. 

And should it hai^pen that any merchant or merchants of 
this our realm arrive at the said islands, countries and places by 
licence of our said subjects or without their licence, for the 
purpose of obtaining merchandise and wares, and should carry 
on business and bring goods and wares from those ])arts into 



54 * CANADIAN AECIIIVES 

this our kingdom, then we will and grant by these presents to 
the aforesaid Richard, Thomas, John, John, Francis and John, 
their heirs and assigns, that they, during the aforesaid term of 
ten years, may receive from any such merchant, the customs, 
subsidies and other dues having been paid that it is customary 
to remit to us in such case, the twentieth part of all such goods 
and merchandise brought and transported by the same from the 
said islands, countries and places into this our realm of Eng- 
land on any voyage during the said term of ten years, this 
twentieth ]3art to be had and taken in the port in M^hich it shall 
haj^pen that the said goods are unloaded and discharged. Pro- 
vided always that during the said term of ten years the afore- 
said Richard and the others aforesaid, their heirs and assigns, 
and not any other persons, be the factors and attorneys in the 
said islands, mainlands and countries in behalf of any such 
merchants and other persons repairing there for the aforesaid 
cause in and for the trade carried on there for them. Provided 
also that no vessel charged and loaded with goods and mer- 
chandise from the said regions thus newly found, after she has 
been brought into any port of this our realm, be discharged of 
the said goods and merchandise except in the presence of the 
aforesaid Richard and of the others aforesaid, or of their heirs 
or deputies to be assigned for this purpose, on pain of the for- 
feiture of the said goods and merchandise, whereof one half 
shall be applied to our needs and the other half be given to the 
aforesaid Richard and to the others before-named and to their 
heirs. And if afterwards any strangers or other persons should 
presume against the wish of the said Richard and of the others 
before-named to sail to these said regions for the purpose of en- 
riching themselves, and to enter the same by violence, and there 
to insult the said Richard and the others aforesaid or their heirs, 
and to conquer and expel them, or otherwise to disturb them, 
then we w^ill and by the tenour of these presents give and 
grant power to the same subjects of ours, to expel and resist 
with all their force, as well by land as by sea and fresh water, 
these strangers, even though they be subjects and vassals of 
some prince in league and friendship with us, and to wage 
and carry on war against them, and to arrest, bind and place 
them in prison, there to remain until they shall have made 
fine and redemption to our said subjects; or otherwise to 
chastise and punish them according to the sober discretion of 
our said subjects and of their heirs. 

And also by the tenour of these presents we give and grant 



PEECUKSOKS OF CARTIER 55 

full power to our aforesaid subjects, and to the other persons 
aforesaid, to make, constitute, nominate and appoint under them 
by their letters patent to be sealed with their seals, any cap- 
tains, lieutenants and deputies whatsoever in each of the states, 
cities, towns and places aforesaid for the administration and 
government of all and singular the persons in those parts, under 
the rule and authority of our said subjects there dwelling, 
and for the due execution and administration of justice in the 
same, acording to the tenour and import of the ordinances, 
statutes and proclamations aforesaid. And furthermore we 
have granted and by these presents grant to the aforesaid 
Richard, Thomas,- John, John, Francis and John for the term 
of their lives and of the life of any one of them, the office of 
Admiral at sea in any of the places, countries and provinces 
whatsoever by them thus newly discovered and henceforth to 
be found and recovered; and we make, constitute, ordain and 
appoint by .these presents the said Richard, Thomas, John, 
John, Francis and John and any one of them whomsoever, con- 
jointly and separately, our Admirals in the same parts, giving 
and granting to them and to any one of them whomsoever, by 
the tenour of these presents, full power and authority to do, 
exercise and carry out all and singular the things which 
pertain to the office of Admiral, according to the law and the 
naval custom obtaining in this our realm of England. 

And further after the aforesaid Richard Warde, Thomas 
Ashehurst and John Thomas and John Fernandez, Francis 
Fernandez and John Gonzales shall have thus found, acquired 
and subdued with our assistance, any mainlands, islands, coun- 
tries and provinces, cities, castles, states and towns, then we will 
and by these presents grant to them, their heirs and assigns, 
that they and their heirs may have, hold and possess for them- 
selves, their heirs and assigns all and singular, such and so great 
mainlands, islands, countries, provinces, castles, cities, fort- 
resses, states, and towns as and as great as they and their 
agents, lieutenants and servants are able to inhabit, take 
possession of, hold and maintain; the same lands, islands and 
places aforesaid to be had and held by them, their heirs and 
assigns, and by any one of them whomsoever, of us and of our 
heirs in perpetuity by fidelity alone, without any composition 
or anythinor else being rendered or made to us or to our heirs 
for the same, always excepting the dignity, dominion, regality, 
jurisdiction and suzerainty of the same, wholly reserved to us. 
And furthermore we have granted to the aforesaid Richard, 



56 CANADIAN AKCIIIVES 

Thomas, John, John, Francis and John, that when the said 
mainlands, islands and countries thus made over to them and to 
their heirs aforesaid, as set forth above, have been discovered 
and recovered, and \dien thej are in full possession of the same, 
they, their heirs and assigns may hold, possess and enjoy the 
same freely, quietly and jjeaceably, without impediment of any 
sort from us or from any of our heirs whomsoever. And that 
none of our subjects shall in any way expel them or any one of 
them from and out of their possession and title to and in the 
said mainlands, islands and countries in any wise against their 
will. Promising in good faith and on the word of a king that 
we shall hold ratified, acceptable and stable all and whatsoever 
the aforesaid Richard, Thomas, John, John, Francis and John, 
and any of them whosoever, by way of completing the premises, 
shall do or shall j)rocure to be done herein. And that neither 
we nor our heirs ever nor at any time in the future shall dis- 
turb, hinder or molest them or any one of them or their heirs 
and assigns in their right, title and possession, nor shall wo 
permit nor cause this to be done or brought about, nor shall we 
cause it to be done by others our subjects, or others whomsoever, 
so far as in us lies; nor shall we in any Avay remove them,. their 
heirs and assigns from the said mainlands, countries, provin- 
ces and places for any cause afterwards arising or happening, 
nor shall we cause them to be removed or expelled by our sub- 
jects. 

And further of our greater sjjecial goodness and very own 
motion we have granted and by these presents grant for us and 
OTir heirs, as far as in us lies, to John Fernandez, Francis Fer- 
nandez and John Gonzales, Esquires, of the Islands of the 
Azores, born subjects of the king of Portugal, and to any one of 
them whomsoever, that they and any one of them and all thei' 
children, as well born as to be born, are for ever subjects and 
lieges of us and of our heirs, and in all lawsuits, quarrels, affairs 
and matters whatsoever are to be considered, treated, held, es- 
teemed and governed as our true and faithful lieges born within 
our realm of England, and not otherwise nor in any other way. 
And that they and all their children aforesaid, and any one of 
them whomsoever, may cany on and bring real, personal and 
mixed actions in all courts, places and jurisdictions of ours 
whatsoever in all ways, and may use and benefit by these, and 
may sue and be sued in the same, answer and be answered to, 
defend them and be defended in all things and everywhere as our 
true and -faithful lieges born within our realm aforesaid. And 



PKECUKSORS OF CAKTIER 57 

til at tliej, and any one of them whosoever, may examine, take, 
receive, own, hold, possess and inherit for himself, his heirs and 
assigns, in perpetuity or in any other way whatsoever, lands, 
tenements, rents, reversions, services and other possessions 
whatsoever, as well in full ownership as in reversion, within our 
said realm of England and the other dominions and places 
under our obedience, and these give away, sell, alienate and be- 
queath to any person or persons whomsoever, as it may please 
them, freely, quietly, lawfully and safely, and any one of them 
may sq do at his pleasure, as freely, fully and peaceably- as any 
liege of ours born within our realm of England is able and has 
power to do. In such a way nevertheless that the aforesaid 
John and Francis Fernandez and John Gonzales, and all their 
(hildren aforesaid, pay or cause to be paid, and each of them 
])ays or causes to be paid, such customs, taxes and other dues for 
their goods, wares, merchandise and commodities which are to 
be brought into our realm of England or taken out of the same, 
as foreigners pay to us, or ought, or are accustomed to pay. And 
that the same John and Francis Fernandez and John Gonzales, 
and all their children aforesaid, from henceforward under colour 
or in virtue of any statute, ordinance or grant made or to be 
made in our parliament or out of our parliament, be not forced, 
held nor compelled nor any one of them be forced, held or com- 
pelled to pay, give, render or bring to us or to any of our heirs, 
or to any one else whomsoever, any taxes, tallages or other dues 
whatsoever for their lands, tenements, goods or persons, except 
such and so much as our other faithful lieges, born within our 
said realm pay, give, render or bring, or are accustomed and 
held to pay, give, render or bring generally for their goods. 
lands, tenements or persons ; but that the aforesaid John and 
Francis Fernandez and John Gonzales, and all their children 
aforesaid, and any one of them, may and can have and possess 
all things and all other liberties, privileges, franchises and cus- 
toms, and may use and enjoy them, and any one of them may so 
do, within our said realm of England, our jurisdictions and 
dominions whatsoever, as freely, quietly, fully and peaceably as 
the rest of our lieges, born within our said realm gene- 
rally hold, use and enjoy them, or ought and should hold, pos- 
sess, use and enjoy them; any statute, act, ordinance, or any 
other cause, affair or matter whatsoever notwithstanding. Pro- 
vided always that the aforesaid John and Francis Fernandez 
and John Gonzales, and each of them does liege homage to us, 
anrl that they and each one of them aids with lot and scot and 



58 CANADIAN AKCHIVES 

with the other dues payable and customary everywhere in our 
aforesaid realm, as our lieges do who are born within our said 
kingdom. Provided also that the said John and Francis Fer- 
nandez and John Gonzales pay, and each of them pays to us 
and to our heirs so many and such customs, subsidies and other 
dues for their goods and merchandise as foreigners are held co 
pay and give to us. 

And further of our greater goodness we have gi'anted to the 
aforesaid Richard, Thomas, John, John, Francis and John, that 
they may have our present letters in our Chancery without pay- 
ment to us of any fine or fee or of any fines or fees for the same 
letters of ours, or for any part thereof, or for our Great Seal in 
any way at the Exchequer of our said Chancery. And we will 
and grant by these presents that the most Eeverend father in 
God, Henry, bishop of Salisbury, the Custodian of our Great 
Seal, by the authority of this present grant of ours, shall cause 
to be prepared and sealed so many and such briefs sealed with 
our Great Seal and directed to the custodian or clerk of our 
Exchequer for the discharge of the said fines and fees, as and 
such as may be necessary and requisite for the same without 
any other warrant or attendance being made before us in this 
matter. 

In witness whereof, etc. 

Witness ourself at Westminster on the nineteenth day of 
^arch. 

By the king himself, and at the date aforesaid, etc. 

And the customs' officers, or the collectors of the king's cus- 
toms and subsidies at the port of his town of Bristol, both pre- 
sent and future, are ordered, according to the tenour of the 
aforesaid letters, to allow the aforesaid Richard, Thomas, John, 
John, Francis and John, and any one of them whomsoever, 
their heirs and assigns to land at the aforesaid harbour whatso- 
ever goods, merchandise and wares contained, loaded and car- 
ried in the said one vessel, of whatsoever burthen she be, which 
are brought and transported from the said islands, countries 
and places to be found and recovered by the same as aforesaid, 
to the said port of Bristol, from time to time on any voyage dur- 
ing the term of the said four years from the date of the recovery 
and discovery of the islands, countries and places aforesaid, 
without pa^Tuent of any customs, subsidies or other dues to the 
said lord the kino- or to his heirs for the said jroods, merchandise 



PRECUESOKS OF CAETIER 59 

and wares, aud to set out, sell and distribute these at their will, 
and not to molest nor oppress the said persons contrary to the 
tenour of the said letters. 

Witness the king at Westminster on the nineteenth day of 
March. 

And the aforesaid customs' officers, or the collectors in the 
aforesaid port, both present and future, are ordered according to 
the tenour of the aforesaid letters, to allow the aforesaid masters, 
mates or quartermasters and sailors of any ship whatsoever, 
sailing and making its way to any mainland, country or place 
aforesaid, and any one of them whomsoever, to have, enjoy and 
receive from time to time the customs and subsidies of the 
aforesaid tonnage in the form and manner stated above, without 
the payment by them or by any of them whomsoever in any way 
of any customs, subsidies and other dues to the said lord the king 
for the said tonnage in and on any voyage whatsoever, and they 
are not to molest nor oppress them or any one of them in any 
way contrary to the tenour of these said presents. 

Witness the king at Westminster on the nineteenth day of 
March. 



XXI. 

15-21 April, 1501. 

PROVISIONS FOR GASPAR CORTE REALMS SECOND EXPEDITION. 

]^os, el Rey, mandamos a vos nosso almoxarife dos fornos do 
bizcoito da porta da + [i.e. Cruz] e ao escripvam desseo officio, 
que dees a Gaspar Corterreal, ffidalsjo de nossa casa, tamto 
bizcoyto quamto ffizerem dez moyos de triguo do campo, os 
quaaes dez moyos de triguo vos, o dito Gaspar Corterreal, entre- 
gara nos ditos ffornos ; E esto peramte o dito vosso escripvam 
pera vos carregar os ditos dez moyos de triguo em recepta e em 
despesa o dito bizcoito que Ihe assy por elles emtregardes, como 
dito he, por que do ffeitio Ihe f azemos merce, e vos cobray delle 
sseu conhecimento, e este pera vossa comta e comprio assy. 
ffeito em Lixboa a xb dias dabril. Gaspar Rodriguez o fez de 
mil e b° e huu, 

REY + J. 

De CASTEL BRAXCO. 



60 CANADIAX ARCIIIVIJS 

He vei'dade que receby do almoxarife Jacome Diaz setenta 
e dous quiiitaes e meio per dez inoyos de triguo do eanpo que de 
mym regebeo feito a xxj dias dabrill de 1501. 

GASPAR CORTE EEALL. 

[Endorsed]. Ao almoxarife dos fornos da porta da + L^-^- 
Cruz] que dee a Gaspar Corterreal tamto bizcoyto quanto 
fezerem x moyos de triguo do campo, os quaaes Ihe elle entre- 
gara, e do feitio Ihe faz vossa seiilioria mercee. 

From the Archive nacional da Torre do Tombo, Corpo chrono- 
logieo, part 1*, mag. 3, no. 52 : printed in Harrisse, op. cit., post- 
scriptum G-7, Avith a facsimile of Gaspar Corte Real's receipt; 
Archivo dos Agores, IV, 585-6; and in Alguns Documentos, 
etc., 125-6 with a facsimile of the whole document. 

XXIa. 

We, the king, order you our superintendent of the biscuit- 
ovens at the gate of the Cross', and the clerk of that office, to 
deliver to Gaspar Corte Real, a nobleman of our court, as many 
biscuits as ten nioios^ of country w^heat will produce, which ten 
rnoios of wheat the said Gaspar Corte Real will hand over to 
you at our said ovens ; and this in the presence of your said 
clerk, in order to credit you with the said ten moios of wheat 
and to debit you with the said biscuit which you will thus de- 
liver to him in exchange for them, as already stated, since we 
grant him the expense thereof; and you will obtain from him 
his bill of lading, and this for your account and receipt. Given 
in Lisbon on 15 April. Gaspar Rodriguez made this in 1501. 

THE KING, 

De CASTEL BRAXCO. 
It is true that I have received from the superintendent 
James Diaz 12^ quintals in exchange for ten nio'ios of country 
wheat which he received from me. Given on 21 April, 1501. 

GASPAR CORTE REAL. 

Endorsed : To the Superintendent of the Ovens at the Gate 
of the Cross to deliver to Gaspar Corte Real as many biscuits as 
X moios of country wheat, which he is to hand over to him, will 
produce, and his majesty grants him the expense. 

1 One of the old city gates of Lisbon, 
" A moio is 780 litres. 



PRECURSORS OF C ARTIER 61 

XXII. 

17 October 1501. 

DISPATCH OF ALTJERT. CAIN^TINO FRO:\r LISBOX TO THE DUKE OF 
FERRARA^ HERCULES D^ESTE. 

Illiistrissime et Excellentissime Princeps et Domine mi 
Singularissime, etc : 

Gill son nove mesi jDassati che qnesto Serenissimo Re mando 
alle parte de Tramontana dui legni ben armati solum per ccr- 
chare se possibil fusse che a qnella parte vi si possesse ritrovare 
terre on insule alcnne. Cusi hora alii nndece del presente salvo 
et con preda, uno de epsi e ritornato ; et lia portato gente et 
nove, lequale non me ha parso che sencia sentita de Vostra Ex- 
cellentia debbiano passare, et cusi precisamente tutto quelle 
qual fu per il capitan al Re, me presente, racontato, qui di sotto 
distinctamente scrivo. In prima racontano che. partiti che 
furon del porto di Lisbona, quatro mesi continui senipre per 
quello vento et a quel polo caminarno, ne mai in tutto questo 
spacio heberno vista de cosa alcuna ; et intracti nel quinto mese, 
volendo pure inanti seguire, dicono che ritrovarno masse grand- 
issime de concreta neve andare, mosse de I'onde sopra il mare 
a galla, de la summita de lequali, per la potentia del sole, una 
dolce et chiara aqua se dissolvea, et disciolta per canaleti da 
epsi facti ruinando al basso giu cadea, onde, che havendo gia le 
nave bisogno de acqua, con li battelli a quelle se acostarno, et 
per quanto fu a lor necessario ne prenderno. Et temendo de 
stare in quel locho per il loro presente periculo, volseno tornare 
indrieta, ma pur aiutati da speranza. deliberarno como meglio 
potesseno andare anchora alcun giorno inanti, et posseronsi al 
viaggio, nel second© giorno delquale ritrovarno el Mar gelato, 
et constrecti ha abandl)nare la impresa, cominciarno a circon- 
dare verso Maestro et ponente, ove tre mesi sempre con bon 
tempo a quella volta continuarno. Et nel primo giorno del 
quarto mese heberno vista, f ra questi dui venti, d'un grandissimo 
paese, alquale con grandissima allegreza se acostarno, et cor- 
rendo molti et grandi fiumi dolci per quella regione al mare, per 
uno de epsi forsi una legha fra terra intra rno, et in quella dis- 
montati trovarno copia de suavissimi et diversi fructi, et albori 
et pini de si smisurata alteza et grosseza che serebbeno troppo 
per arboro de la pin gran nave che vadi in mare. Ivi non nasce 
biada d'alcuna sorte, ma gli homini di quel paese dicono non viv- 
ere se non de pescasone et caza de animali, de liquali el paese 
abonda, cioe cervi grandissimi, vestiti de longissimo pelo, le 



62 CANADIAN" ARCHIVES 

pelle de liquali usano per veste, ne f anno case et barche ; et ciisi 
lupi, volpe, tigri et zebellini. Affernano esservi, clie mi pare 
miraculo, tanti falcuni peregrini, quante passare sono nel nos- 
tro paese, et io ne ho veduti, et sono belletissimi. De gli homini 
et de le donne de qiiesto locho, ne pigliarno circha da cinqnanta 
per forza, et bannoli portati al Re, liquali io ho visti, tochi et 
contemplati, et cominciando alia loro grandeza, dico che sono al- 
quanto piu grandi del nostro naturale, com membre corresponde- 
vole et ben formate. Li capilli de maschii sono longi, qnanto 
noi altri usiamo, et pendeno con certe inhanelate volveture, et 
hanno il volto con gram signi segnato, et li segni sono como quel- 
li de li indiani ; gli occhi suoi tranno al verde da liquali quando 
guardano, dona un gram fireza a tutto il viso. La voce non se 
intende ma per cio in se non ha alcuna aspreza, anci piu presto 
e humana. La condictione et gesti loro son mansuetissimi : 
rideno assai • e dimostrano summo piacere ; et questo e quanto 
alii homini. La dona ha piccolo poppe et belissimo corpo, et 
tien un viso assai gentilesco, il coloro de lequale piu presto se 
puo dire biancho cha altro, ma il maschio e assai piu negro. In 
summa, salvo che la teribile guardadura de I'homo, in ogni altra 
cosa mi pareno equali alia imagine et similitudine nostra. Da 
ogni parte sono nudi, salvo che le membre vergognose, che con 
una pelle de sopra dicti cervi se tengan coperti. Non hanno 
arme, ne ferro niuno, ma cio che lavorano et cio che fanno, fanno 
con durissime pietre aguze, con lequale non e cosa si dura che 
non taglino. Questo naviglio e venuto di la a qua in un mese, 
et dicono esservi 2800 milia de distantia. L'altro compagno ha 
deliberate andar tanto per quella costa che vole intendere se 
quella e insula o pur terra ferma. Et cusi il Re con molto de- 
siderio et quelle et altri aspecta, liquali venuti che siano, et port- 
ando cosa digna de Yostra Excellentia, subito ne daro notitia a 
quella 

Me racommando a Vostra Excellentia, 

Illustrissimi et Excellentissimi Ducis D. V. 

Servitor ALBERTUS CANTINUS ss. 

Lisbone die xbii octobris 1501. 

[Endorsed] Ilhistrissimo Principi ct Excellentissimo 
Domino, Domino Herculi E?tensi, Duci Eerrarie, 

dignissimo ac domino meo singlarissimo, 

Eerrarie. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 63 

From the Archivio di Stato at Modena, Dispacci della Spag- 
na, at the date: original: printed in Harrisse, Jean et Sebas- 
tien Cabot, 262-1; idem., Les Corte-Real, 204-9; and reprinted 
from the former work in the Archivo dos Agores, TV, 424-6. 



XXIIa. . 

Most Illustrious and most Excellent Prince, my very singu- 
lar good Lord: 

ISTine months have now passed since this most serene mon- 
arch^ sent to the northern parts two well-equipped ships, for the 
sole purpose of finding out if it were possible to discover in that 
region any lands or islands. ISTow on the eleventh of the pre- 
sent month one of them has arrived safe and with some booty ; 
and has brought people and news, which it appeared to me 
ought not to pass without your Excellency's hearing thereof; 
and thus I have set down here below clearly and exactly all that 
in my presence was told the king by the captain. Eirst of all they 
relate that after setting sail as they did from the port of Lis- 
bon, they made their way for four months continuously, always 
in the same direction and towards the same pole, and never in 
all that time did they see anything at all. ISTevertheless in the 
fifth month, still wishing to push on, they say that they met 
huge masses of solid snow floating upon the sea and moving 
under the influence of the waves, from the summit of which 
by the force of the sun's rays a clear stream of sweet water was 
melted and once dissolved ran down in little channels made by 
itself, eating its way splashingly to the base. Since the ships 
now lacked fresh water, the boats approached and took as much 
as was then needed. Eearing to remain in that region by rea- 
son of this present danger, they wished to turn back, but yet, 
spurred by hope, decided to go forward as best they could for a 
few days more, and having got under way, on the second day 
they again discovered the sea to be frozen, and were 
forced to give up the undertaking. They then began to turn 
towards the north-west and the west, in which direction they 
made their way for three more months, always with favourable 
weather. And on the first day of the fourth month they caught 
sight between these two courses of a very large country which 

1 King Emmanuel I. 



t^d- CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

they approached with very great delight. And since throughout 
this region numerous large rivers flowed into the sea, by one of 
these they made their way about a league inland, where on 
landing they found abundance of most luscious and varied 
fruits, and trees and pines of such measureless height and girth, 
that they would be too big as a mast for the largest ship that 
sails the sea. Xo corn of any sort grows there, but the men of that 
country say they live altogether by fishing and hunting animal^^. 
in which the land abounds, such a§ very large deer, covered with 
extremely long hair, the skins of which they nse for garments 
and also make houses and boats thereof, and again wolves, foxes, 
tigers and sables. They [the explorers] affirm that there are, 
Avhat appears to me wonderful, as many falcons as there are 
sparrows in our country, and I have seen some of them and they 
are extremely pretty. They forcibly kidnapped about fifty 
men and women of this country and have brought them to the 
king. I have seen, touched and examined these people, and be- 
ginning with their stature, declare that they are somewhat 
taller than our average, with members corresponding and well- 
formed. The hair of the men is long, just as we wear ours, 
and they wear it in curls, and have their faces marked with 
great signs, and these signs are like those of the f East] Indians. 
Their eyes are greenish and when they look at one, this gives an 
air of great boldness to their Avhole countenance. Their speech 
is unintelligible, but nevertheless is not harsh but rather human. 
Their manners and gestures are most gentle; they laugh con- 
siderably and manifest the greatest pleasure. So much for the 
men. The women have small breasts and most beautiful bodies, 
and rather pleasant faces. The colour of these women may be 
said to be more white than otherwise, but the men are consider- 
ably darker. In fine, except for the terribly harsh look of the 
men, they appear to me to be in all else of the same form and 
image as ourselves. They go quite naked except for their privy 
parts, which they cover with a skin of the above-mentioned deer. 
They have no arms nor iron, but whatever tliey work or fashion, 
they cut with very hard sharp stones, with which they split in 
two the very hardest substances. This vessel came home thence 
in one month and they say the distance is 2800 miles. The 
other consort decided to make her way far enough along that 
coast to be able to learn whether it is an island or yet mainland. 
And thus the king awaits with great eagerness both that one 
and others, and when they have arrived, should they bring 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 65 

anytliing worthy of your Excellency's consideration, I shall 

immediately send you word of the same 

My respects to your Excellency. 

Your most Illustrious and most Excellent 
Grace's servant, 

ALBEET CANTING. 

Lisbon, lY October, 1501. 

Also translated in Markham, op. cit., 232-4. A French 
translation will be found in Harrisse, Les Gorte-Real, 55-7. 



XXIII. 

18 October, 1501. 

LETTER FROil PfETRO PASQUALIGO TO THE SIGNIORY OF VENICE, 

Copia di una lettera scrita in Portogallo a di 18 octubrio 
1501: ricevuda a di 28 dezembrio 1501. 

A di 9 dil presente arivo qui una di doe caravelle quale 
I'anno passato la Maiesta del dito re mando a discoprir terra 
verso le j^arte de tramontana, et ha conduto 7 tra homeni et 
femene et puti de terra per quella discoperta. Erra maistro et 
ponente lontan di qui migiia 1800. Questi homeni de aspeto, 
iigura et statura somigliano cingani ; hanno signada la faza in 
diversi logi, chi de piu, chi de mancho segni, vestiti di pelle de 
diversi animali, ma precipue di lodre. El parlar suo e penitus 
alieno da ogni altro che fin horra se sia sentito in questo regno, 
ne vien inteso da persona alguna. Sonno benissimo disposti ne 
li membri loro, et hanno faze mansuetissime, ma modi et gesti 
bestialissimi et come de homeni silvestri. Credeno questi di la 
caravella la soprascrita terra esser terra ferma, et conjungerse 
con altra terra, laqual I'anno passato soto la tramontana fu dis- 
coperta da I'altre caravele de questa Maiesta. Licet non potes- 
seno arivar a quella per esser el mar li agiazato con grandissima 
quantita di neve in modo che monti. Qual terra etiam credeno 
conjungerse con le Andilie, che furono discoperte per li Reali di 
Spagna, et con la terra dei papaga, noviter trovata per le nave 
di questo re che andorono in Calicut. El creder questo se mo- 
veno, prima, perche havendo corsa la costa de dita terra per 
spazio de 600 et piu migiia, non hanno trovato fin alguno ; poi, 
perche diceno liaver trovate molte fiumare grosissime, che li 

4473—5 



00 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

meteno in mare. Expetasse di zorno in zorno I'altra caravella 
capetania, da laqual distinctamente se intendera la qualita et 
condition ch'e la sopradita terra, per esser andata piii avanti,, 
scoreudo per quella costa, per discoprir quanto piii potra di 
quella. De qiiesta nova, questa regia Maiesta ha auto gran, 
piacer, perclie li par clie questa terra sera molto a projx»sito di 
le cose sue, per piu respeti, ma preciime perche essendo molto 
vicina a questo regno facilmente et in poclio tempo potra haver 
grandissima copia di legnami per fabrication di arbori et antene 
di nave, et homeni schiavi assai, da ogni faticha, imperho che 
dicoiio quella terra esser populatissima et plena di pini et altri 
legni optimi ; et tanto ha piacuto dita nova a sua Maiesta che li 
ha fa to venir volonta de mandar navilii iterum a dito locho, et 
acrescer la flota sua per India, per conquistar piu presto hormai 
cha per discoprir, perche li par che Dio sii con sua Maiesta ne 

le opere sue ct mandi ad effecto ogni suo desegno 

From the Biblioteca nazionale di S. Marco at Venice, MSS. 
Italiani, CI. Y, Xo. 422, Diarii di Sanuto, volumen IV, fol. 93 
recto and verso : printed in Diarii di Marino Sanuto, IV,. 
200-01, Venezia, 1880; Harrisse, Les Corte-Eeal, etc., 209-10; 
and in the Archivo dos Agores, IV, 587-8 (from Harrisse). 

XXIIIa. 

Copy of a letter written in Portugal on IS October, 1501: 
received on 28 December, 1501. 

On the ninth of the present month arrived here one of two 
caravels which his said majesty' sent out last year to discover 
land in the northern parts, and it has brought back seven natives, 
men, women and children, from the land discovered. It was 
towards the north and west, 1800 miles away. These men in 
aspect, appearance and stature resemble gypsies: they have 
their faces marked here and there, some with many, others with 
few signs, [and are] clothed in the skins of divers animals, but 
chiefly of otter. Their speech is utterly difterent from any 
hitherto heard in this kingdom; nor does any one understand 
it. They are exceedingly well-formed in their limbs, and have 
most gentle countenances, but most bestial habits and manners, 
like wild men. The crew of this caravel believes that the above- 
mentioned land is mainland, and that it joins another land 
which was discovered last year in the north by other caravels 
belonging to this king. It seems they could not land in that 

' Kinsr Emmaimel I 



PRECUESORS OF CARTIER 67 

country as the sea there was frozen over with great masses of 
snow, like mountains. They are also of opinion that this land 
is connected with the Antilles^, which were discovered by the 
sovereigns of Spain, and with the land of the Parrots^ recently 
found by this king's vessel on their way to Calicut. To this 
belief they are moved in the first place, because after ranging the 
coast of said land for the space of 600 miles and more, they did 
not find it come to an end ; next, because they say they have dis- 
covered many exceedingly large rivers which there enter the sea. 
The other caravel, the captain's, is expected from day to day, and 
from it will be learned positively the nature and condition of 
the above-mentioned land, because she set off to range that 
coast further, in order to discover as much of it as possible. 
This news has given the king here great pleasure, since it seems 
to him that this country will be most useful to his plans in 
several respects, but chiefly because being very near to his king- 
dom, he will be able to secure without difiiculty and in a short 
time a very large quantity of timber for making masts and 
ships' yards, and plenty of men-slaves, fit for every kind of 
labour, inasmuch as they say that this land is very well popu- 
lated and full of pines and other excellent woods. And said 
news has so pleased his majesty that it has made him desirous 
of sending ships again to said region, and of increasing his 
fleet for India, in order to conquer more quickly, now that he 
has discoveries in view; because it seems to him that God is 
with his majesty in his labours and brings every plan of his to 
fulfilment 

Also translated in Markham, op. cit., 236-8. 

XXIV. 

15 January, 1502. 

ROYAL CONFIRMATION TO MICHAEL CORTE REAL OF THE LANDS 
GRANTED TO HIM BY HIS BROTHER GASPAR. 

Dom Manuell, etc. A quamtos esta nosa carta virem, faze- 
mos saber, que Miguell Corte Keall, fidallguo de nossa cassa, e 
nosso porteiro moor, nos disse ora, que vemdo elle como Gaspar 
Corte Eeall, sen irmaao, avia dias que partira desta cidade com 

1 The West Indies. 

2 Brazil. 
4473— 5i 



68 CAJN^ADIAN ARCinVES 

tres navy OS a descobrir terra uova, da quail ja tinlia acliada 
parte dell a, e como depois de pasado tempo vieram dons dos 
ditos uavyos aa dita cidade, averiam ciiiquo messes, e elle nam 
vinha, que elle o queria hyr buscar ; e que por quamto elle dito 
Miguell Corte Reall tinlia feito muyto gasto e despesa de sua 
f azemda no dito descobrimento, asy nos ditos navyos que ho dito 
sou irmaao pera ella armou por a primeira vez que a dita terra 
achou, e asy desta segumda que ora foy como com elle ; pelo que 
o dito Gaspar Corte Reall, avemdo respeito a isso, Ibe pvometera 
de i^artir com elle da dita terra que asy descobrisse asy e na 
maucira que a elle tinliamos outorgada e dada per nosa doacam, 
da quail coussa o dito Gaspar Corte Reall nos pedio amte de sua 
partida, que Ihe mandassemos disso dar huu nosso alvara, o 
quail Ihe demos a seu requerimento, pelo quail nos prouve, que 
toda a terra que Ihe elle asy desse e demarcasse fosse sua, asy 
como a elle de nos tinha, e em sua carta era contheudo ; e ora o 
dito Miguell Corte Reall nos pedio que pera sua seguramga o de- 
crarassemos asy e outorgassemos per esta nosa carta, pello quail, 
de nosso moto proprio, §erta giencia, livre vomtade, poder Reall 
e aussoluto nos praz, que de toda a terra firme" ou Ilhas que ho 
dito Gaspar Corte Reall atee ora tem achadas, ou descobrir 
daquella parte, que elle denomear e demarcar ao dito Miguel 
Corte Reall por sua, llie fazemos della doacam e mercee, pera 
todo ssempre, como de fecto per esta fazemos, asy e tam cunpri- 
damente, e com aquellas clausullas e comdigooes, direitos, jurdi- 
f;am, capitany^s e c°ussas outras comtheudas na doaeaui do 
dito Gaspar Corte Reall. 

Outrosy nos praz, avemdo nos isso mesmo respeito ao que 
dito he, e asy aos muytos servigos que temos recebidos, e ao 
diamte esperamos regeber do dito Miguel Corte Reall, que 
seemdo casso que elle nom ache o dito sseu irmaao, ou semdo 
falecido, o que Deos nam mande, queremos e nos praz, que toda 
a terra firme e Ilhas que elle per si novamente neste anno de 
quinhemtos e dous descobrir e achar, alem da que o dito seu 
irmaao tever achada, elle a aja pera sy, e Ihe fazemos della doa- 
gam e mergee, com aquellas jurdicooes, direitos, capitanyas, 
clausullas, comdigooes e coussas outras comtheudas e decraradas 
na dita doagam do dito seu irmaao, e por firmeza de todo Ihe 
mandamos dar esta carta per nos asinada, e sellada do nosso sello 
pendemte. Dada em Lixboa a xb dias de Janeiro. Gaspar Rod- 
riguez a fez, anno de nosso Seuhor Jhuu X° de mill e b'= e dous 
— e daquelas terras ou Ilhas quo ho dito ssou irmaao asv tevor 



PRECURSORS OF CARTU'J 69 

acliadas e descobertas, noni Ihe fazemos doagam, ssoomente da- 
quellas que Ihe asj nomear como dito he. 

From the Torre do Tombo, liv. IV of Dom j\Ianoelj fol. 
S'': printed in F. Kunstmann, Die Entdeckung Amerikas, 
etc., 93-4:, note 120, Munich, 1859 ; Harrisse, Les Corte-Real, 
214-5 ; the Archivo dos Agores, IV, 508-9 j and in Alguns Docu- 
mentos, etc., 131-2. 



XXIVa. 

King Emmanuel, etc. To. as many as shall see these letters 
of ours, we make known, that Michael Corte Eeal, a nobleman 
of our court, and our major-domo, has now informed us that, 
forasmuch as his brother Gaspar Corte Real some time ago set 
forth from this city with three ships to discover the new land, 
of which he had already explored a part, and that about five 
months since two of the said ships arrived in the said city, but 
he [Gaspar] did not return, he [Michael] is desirous of going 
in search of him [Gaspar] ; and that inasmuch as he, the said 
Michael Corte Real, has already spent a considerable sum in 
money and goods in the said expedition, as well in fitting out 
the said ships the first time his said brother discovered the said 
land, as in this second attempt in which he [Michael] accom- 
panied him, on which account the said Gaspar Corte Real, hav- 
ing regard thereto, promised to share with him [Michael] the 
said land he should thus discover, in the same manner in which 
we by our letters granted and made it over to him [Gaspar], 
of which concession the said Gaspar Corte Real asked us before 
his departure to give him our letters patent, which at his re- 
quest we granted, by which it was our pleasure that all the land 
he should give and set apart for him [Michael], should be his, 
in the same manner that he [Gaspar] held from us, and was set 
forth in his letters patent; and now the said Michael Corte 
Real has asked us for his safeguard to state this and to grant 
the same by these letters of ours, by, which, of our own motion, 
certain knowledge, free will, royal and absolute power, it is our 
pleasure, that whatever portion of the mainland or islands 
hitherto found or discovered in that region by the said Gaspar 
Corte Real, which he has assigned and set apart for the said 
Michael Corte Real, be granted and made over to him for ever, 
as indeed by this grant we now make them over, in the same 
manner and as fully and with those clauses and conditions, 



70 CAIN^ADIAN ARCHIVES 

rights, jurisdiction, governorships and other matters that are set 
out in the grant to the said Gaspar Corte Keal. 

Furthermore it is our pleasure having this same regard to 
what is stated, and also to the many services we have received 
and hope in the future to receive from the said Michael Corte 
Keal, that should he not find his said brother [Gaspar], or 
should he be dead, which God forbid, we desire and it is our 
pleasure, that he have for himself, and we give and grant him, 
all the mainland and islands which he in this year 1502 may 
discover and find afresh, in addition to what his brother has 
found, with those jurisdictions, rights, governorships, clauses, 
conditions and other matters contained and set forth in the said 
letters patent to his said brother; and in witness thereof we 
order these our letters, signed and sealed by us with our hang- 
ing seal, to be given to him. Given in Lisbon on 15 January. 
Gaspar Rodrigiiez made this in the year of our Lord Jesus 
Christ 1502. 

And we do not grant him those lands or islands wliich his 
said brother has found and discovered, but only those we have 
named as already stated. 



XXV. • 

9 December, 1502. 

LETTERS PATENT TO HUGH ELIOT. THOMAS ASIIITRST OF 
BRISTOL AND JOHN GONZALES AND FRANCIS FER- 
NANDEZ OF THE AZORES. 

De licencia inquirendi terram igiiotam. 

Rex, universis et singulis ad quos presentes litere pervener- 
int, Salutem: ISTotum sit vobis et manifestum quod, ox certis 
consideracionibus nos moventibus, de advisamento consilii nos- 
tri, concessimus et licenciam dedimus, prout per presentes con- 
cedimus et licenciam damns, pro nobis et heredibus nostris, 
quantum in nobis est, dilectis subditis nostris, Hugoni Elyot et 
Thome Asshchurste, mercatoribus ville nostre Bristollie, ac 
dilectis nobis, Johanni Gunsalus et ffrancisco ffarnandus, Armi- 
geris, in Insulis de Surrys [sic pro Agoribus] sub obediencia 
Regis Portugalie oriundis, et eorum cuilibet, ac cuiuslibet 
eorum heredibus, attornatis, factoribus seu deputatis, ac eis et 
eorum cuilibet, plenam et liberam auctoritatem, facultatem et 
potestatem committimus, navigandi et se transferendi ad omnes 



I'RECURSORS OF CAKTIER 71 

partes, regiones et fines maris orientalis, oecidentalis, australis, 
Borialis et septemtrioiialis sub Baniieris et insigniis nostris, 
cum tot et tantis et talibus navibus sive batellis, quot sibi pla- 
cuerint et uecessarie fuerint, cuiuscumque portagii quilibet 
ua.vis sive batella exstiterit, cum Magistris, Contromagistris, 
jVIarinariiSj Pagettis, aliisque liominibus pro gubernacione, 
salva custodia et defeusione navium et batellarum predictarum 
competentibus, requisitis et necessariis, ad custus et oner a dicti 
Hugonis et aliorum predictorum, et pro huiusmodi salariis, 
vadiis et stipendiis, prout inter eos poterunt concordare, ad in- 
veniendum, recuperandura, discooperiendum et investigandum 
insulas, patrias, regiones sive provincias quascumque gentilium 
et infidelium, in quacumque mundi parte positas, ac huiusmodi 
Banneras et Insignia nostra in quacumque Villa, Opido (sic), 
Castro, Insula sen terra firma, a se sic n(»vitcr invcntis, afSgendi, 
ipsaque Villas, Opj^ida, Castra, Insulas et terras firmas pro 
nobis et nomine nostro intrandi ct capiendi, et ea tanquam vas- 
alli nostri, ac Gubernatores, locatenentes et deputati nostri, eor- 
undem domino, titulo, dignitate et preeminencia eorundem nobis 
semper reservatis, occupandi, ])ossidendi et subiugandi. Pro- 
viso semper quod de terris, patriis, regionibus sive provinciis 
gentilium aut infidelium ])er subditos carissimi fratris et con- 
sanguinei nostri Portugalic Regis, sen aliorum quorumcumquc 
Principum, amicorum et confederatorum nostrorum prius 
repertis, et in quaruui possc-ssioiie ipsi Principcs jam existunt, 
se nullo modo impediant aut intromittant. Et insuper quando- 
cumque imposterum hiiiusmodi insule, patrie, terre et provincie 
per prefatos Hugonom ot alios nominatos adepte, recuperate et 
invente luerint, tunc volumus per presentes quod omnes et 
singule tani viri quam femine huius regni nostri ceterique sub- 
diti nostri, terras et Insulas huiusmodi sic noviter inventas 
visitare, et in eisdem inhabitare cupientes et desiderantes, pos- 
sint et valeant, licite et impune, ad ipsas patrias, insulas et loca 
cnm eorum navibus, liominibus et servientibus, rebus et ])onis 
suis universis transire, et in eisdem sub proteccione et regimine 
dictorum Hugonis et aliorum prenominatorum morari et in- 
habitare, diviciasque fructus et emolumenta terrarum, patri- 
arum et locorum predictorum adquirere et obtinere. 

Dantes insuper et concedentes prefatis Ilugoni, Thome, 
.Tohanni et ffrancisco et eorum cuilibet plenam, tenore presen- 
cium, potestatem et auctoritatem omnes et singulos homines, 
marinarios ceterasque personas, ad Insulas, patrias, ])rovincias, 
terras firmas et loca predicta, ex causa predicta, se divertentes et 



72 CANADIAN ARCiriVES 

confluentes, taiii in comitiva dictonim Hugonis et aliorum pre- 
nominatoriim quam in comitiva aliorum illnc imposterum re- 
ciirsum habere contingencium, tarn supra mare quam in singu- 
lis patriis, terris firmis et locis huiusmodi, postquam inventa et 
recuperata fuevint, regendi et gubernandi, legesque ordiua- 
ciones, statuta et proclamaciones pro bono et quiete regimine et 
gubernacione dictorum hominum, magistrorum, marinariorum 
et aliarum jDersonaruni predictarum faciendi, stabiliendi, ordi- 
nandi et constituendi et superindo proclamaciones faciendi, ac 
omnes et singulos quos in hac parte contraries et rebelles ac 
legibus, statutis et ordinacionibus predictis inobedientes inven- 
erint, ac omnes illos qui furtum, liomicidia seu rapinas com- 
miserint et perpetraverint, aut aliquas mulieres insularum seu 
patriarum predictarum contra earum voluntatem aut aliter 
rapuerint et violaverint, juxta leges et statuta per ip:*os in hac 
parte ordinata castigandi et puniendi. 

Ac eciam conce^simiis prefatis Hugoni, Thome, Jolianni 
et ffrancisco, heredibus et assignatis suis, quod postquam 
alique Insule, patrie, terre firme, regio seu provincia im- 
posterum per ipsum Hugonem et alios prenominatos in- 
venta fuerint, tunc non licebit alicui seu aliquibus sub- 
dito seu subditis nostris, durante termino quadraginte. 
annoruni proximo et immediate soqueucium, ad ipsas vilhi;^, 
patrias, insulas, terras firmas et loca, causa mercandisandi 
ac bona acquirendi, absque licencia nostra regia et dictorum 
Hugonis et aliorum prenominatorum, heredum et assignatorum 
suorum, cum suis navibus frequentare, aut se divertere, aut in 
eadem ingredi, seu in eisdem pro aliquibus bonis acquirendis 
intromittere. Et post terminum dictorum quadraginta annor- 
um, quod nullus ex nostris subditis ad aliquam terram firmam, 
Insulam, patriam seu locum per ipsos Hugonem et Thomam et 
alios predictos sic noviter inventum, navigare et frequentare 
presumat, absque licencia nostra predicta et dictorum Hugonis 
et ceterorum predictorum, sub pena amissionis et forisfacture 
omnium bonorum et mercandisarum, rerum et navium quorum- 
cumque ad ea loca sic noviter inventa navigare et in eadem 
ingredi presumencium, videlicet, Tina medietas inde erit ad 
opus nostrum, et alia medietas ad opus dictorum Hugonis et 
aliorum prenominatorum et heredum suorum. 

Et ulterius ex habundanti gratia nostra concessimus et per 
presentes concedimus pro nobis et heredibus nostris, quantum in 
nobis est, prefatis Hugoni, Thome, Tohanni et ffrancisco et 
eoriim cuilibct, heredibus et assignatis suis, quod ip?i ot pornm 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER Y3 

quilibet mercandisas, mercimouia, auriim et argentum in massa, 
lapides preeiosos et alia bona qnecmnqne de crescencia patria- 
rum, Insularum et locorum predictorum per ipsos sic recuper- 
andorum et inveniendornm, tarn in dictis navibus et batellis, 
qiiam aliis quibnscumque navibus exteris a dictis patriis, 
Insnli;^, terris firmis et locis in hoc regnum nostrum Anglie ad 
quemcumque portum seu alium locum eiusdem adducere et cari- 
are, et adduci seu cariari facere possit et valeat, eaque vendere et 
distribuere ad -eorum proficuum et avantagium, aliquo statuto, 
actu, ordinacione seu jDrovisione inde in contrarium facta sive 
ordinata non obstante. 

Ac nos intime considerantes grandia custus et onera que 
circa premissa facienda et perimplenda requiruntur, volentes 
igitur prefatis Hugoni, Tliome et aliis memoratis joersonis 
gratiam proinde facere specialem, concessimus, prout per pre- 
sentes concedimus eisdem, lieredibus et assigiiatis suis, quod 
ipsi et eorum quilibet lieredes et assignati sui predicti, de tem- 
pore in tempus, durante termino quinque annorum a tempore 
recuperacionis et invencionis insularum et patriarum predicta- 
rum proximi et immediate sequencium, mercandisas, merci- 
monia ceteraque bona in una navi tantum cuiuscumque portagii 
fuerit eskippata et onustata, ac in hoc regnum nostrum Anglie 
adducenda et transportanda, in portu seu loco predicto ad ter- 
ram ponere, eaque vendere, exponere, et pro libito suo distri- 
buere possint, de tempore in tempus, quolibet viagio, durante 
termino dictorum quinque annorum absque aliquibus custumis, 
subsidiis seu aliis deveriis pro eisdem bonis, mercimoniis et 
ceteris premissis in dicta unica navi tantum contentis et eskip- 
patis nobis aut heredibus nostris infra dictum regnum nostrum 
Anglie aliqualiter solvendis. Proviso tamen quod nobis de cus- 
tumis, subsidiis, pondagiis et aliis denariis nobis pro ceteris 
mercandisis, mercimoniis et bonis in omnibus aliis navibus con- 
tentis, juxta consuetudinem in hoc regno nostro Anglie hactenus 
usitatam, fideliter respondeatur, ut est justum. 

Et insuper volumus et concedimus per presentes, quod qui- 
libet Capitalis Magister, Contromagister et Marinarius cuius- 
libet navis ad aliquam terram firmam, Insulam, patriam, pro- 
vinciam et locum predictos frequentantis et navigantis, habe- 
ant, gaudeant et percipiant de bonis et mercimoniis a dictis 
Insulis, terris firmis et patriis in hoc regnum Anglie adducen- 
dis\ custumas et subsidia sequencia, videlicet: quod quilibet 

1 The MS. has adducendas, but Eymer as above. 



<4- CANADIAiS' AIJCIIIVES 

!Magister liabeat, gaudeat et percipiat subsidia et custumas 
quolibet viagio quatuor doliorum, et quilibet Coutromagister 
vel quarter magister custumas et subsidia duorum dolioruui, ac 
quilibet marinarius custumas et subsidia unius dolii, licet sint 
carcata et eskippata ut bona sua propria, aut ut bom^ alicuius 
alterius persone cuiuscumque. Et hoc absque aliquibus sub- 
sidiis, custumis, debitis seu deveriis infra hoc regnum nostrum 
Anglic ad opus nostrum aut heredum nostrorum pro eisdem 
doliis aliqualiter solvendis seu petendis. 

Et si contingat aliquem vel aliquos mercatorem seu mer- 
catores huius regni nostri ad dictas Insulas, patrias et loca sub 
licencia dictorum subditorum nostrorum, aut absque licencia 
sua, causa habeudi mercandisas vel mercimonia adven- 
tare, et laborare ad bona et mercimonia ab eisdem parti- 
bus in hoc regnum nostrum adducere, tunc volumus et con- 
cedimus per presentes j)refatis Hugoni, Thome, Johanni et 
ffrancisco et heredibus et assignatis suis, quod ipsi, durante ter- 
mino quadraginta annorum antedicto, habeant de quolibet huius- 
modi mercatore, solutis nobis custumis, subsidiis et aliis denariis 
nobis in liac parte debitis et consuetis, vicesimam partem om- 
nium huiusmodi bouorum et mercimoniorum per ipsos a dictis 
lusulis, patriis et loeis, quolibet viagio, durante dicto termino 
quadraginta annorum in hoc regnum nostrum Anglie traducen- 
dorum et capiendorum ; habcndam ct capiendam huiusmodi vice- 
simam partem in portu ubi contigerit, dicta bona discarcari et 
exonerari. Prosdso semper quod predictus Hugo et alii predicti, 
heredes et assignati sui, et non alii omnino imposterum, dicto 
termino quadraginta annorum durante, sint factores et attornati 
in dictis Insulis, terris firniis et patriis pro quibuscumque 
huiusmodi mercatoriis aliisque personis illuc ex causa predicta 
eonfluentibus, in et pro eorum factis mercatoriis in eisdem. 
Proviso eciam quod nulla navis cum bonis et niercandisis a dic- 
tis partibus sic noviter inventis carcata et onustata, postquam 
in aliquem portum huius regni nostri adducta fuerint (sic), 
non exoneretur de eisdem bonis et mercaudisis, nisi in presencia 
prefatorum Hugonis et aliorum jn-edictorum, eorumve here- 
dum seu dcputatorum ad hoc assignandorum, sub peua foris- 
facture eorundem bonorum et mercandisarum, undo una medi- 
etas ad opus nostrum et alia medietas prefatis Ilugoni ct aliis 
prenominatis et heredibus suis applicantur. 

Et si imposterum aliqui extranei aut alie persone ad ipsas 
partes contra voluntatem ipsorum Hugonis et aliorum prenomi- 
natorum, causa habendi divieias, navigare, et ea vi et armis 



PEECUESOES OF CAETIEE 75 

ingredi, ac dictos Hugonem et alios predictos, aut heredes suos 
ibidem insultare, ac eos expellere et cletellare, aut alias inqiiiet- 
are presumpserint, quod tunc volumus ac eisdem subditis nos- 
tris, tenore presencium, potestatem damus et committimus, ipsos 
extraneos, licet sint subditi et vasalli alicuius Principis nobis- 
cum in liga et amicicia existentis, totis suis viribus, tarn per 
terrain quam per mare et aquas dulces expugnaudi, resistendi 
et guerram contra eos levandi et faciendi, eosque capiendi, sub- 
peditandi et incarcerandi ibidem, quousque fines et redemp- 
ciones eisdem subditis nostris fecerint moraturos, aut alias 
secundum sanam discrecionem ipsorum subditorum nostronmi 
et heredum suorum castigandi et puniendi. 

Et eciam prefatis subditis nostris ceterisque personis pre- 
dictis plenam, tenore presencium, potestatem damus et committi- 
mus, sub se quoscumque Capitaueos, locatenentes et deputa- 
tos in singulis Civitatibus, Villis, Oppidis et locis dictarum 
Insularum, provinciarum, patriarnm et locorum predictorum, 
ad regendum et gubernandum omnes et singulas personas in 
eisdem partibus, sub regimine et gubernacione dictorum sub- 
ditorum nostrorum ibidem commorancium, ac ad justiciam 
eisdem, secundum tenorem et effectmn ordinacionum, statut- 
orum et proclamacionum predictorum debite exequendam et 
administrandam, per literas suas patentes, sigillis eorum sigill- 
andas faciendi, constituendi, nominandi et substituendi. 

Et insuper concessimus et per presentes concedimus prefatis 
Hugoni, Thome, Johanni et ffrancisco ad terminum vite sue, et 
cuiuslibet eorum diucius viventis, oificium Admiralli supra 
mare in quibuscumque locis, patriis et provinciis a se sic noviter 
inventis, et imposterum inveniendis et recuperandis ; ipsosque 
Hugonem, Tliomam, Johannem et ffranciscum et eorum quem- 
libet, coniunctim et divisim, Admirallos nostros in eisdem parti- 
bus facimus, constituimus, ordinamus et deputamus per pre- 
sentes, dantes et concedentes eisdem et eorum cuilibet plenam, 
tenore presencium, potestatem et auctoritatem ea omnia et 
singula que ad officium Admirallitatis pertinent, faciendi, 
exeercendi et exequendi, secundum legem et consuetudinem 
maritimam in hoc regno nostro Anglic usitatam. 

Ac eciam postquam j)refati Hugo, Thomas, Johannes et 
ffranciscus aliquas terras firmas, Insulas, patrias et provincias, 
Oppida, Castra, Civitates et Villas per assistenciam nostram 
sic invenerint, optinuerint et subiugaverint, tunc volumus et 
per presentes concedimus eisdem, heredibus et assignatis suis, 
quod ipsi et heredes sui habeant, teneant et possideant sibi, 



7G CANADIAN AKCIIIVES 

heredibus et assignatis suis, omnia et singula, talia ettanta ter- 
ras firraas, Insulas, patrias, provincias, Castra, Oppida, fortalia, 
Civitates et Villas, qualia et quanta ipsi ac homines, tenentes 
et servientes sui, possunt inliabitare, custodire, sustinere et 
manutenere, habenda et tenenda eadem terras, Insulas et loca 
predicta sibi, heredibus et assignatis suis, et cuiuslibet eorum, de 
nobis et heredibus nostris imperpetuum per fidelitatem tantum, 
absque aliquo compoto, sen aliquo alio nobis aut heredibus nos- 
tris proinde reddendo sen faciendo; dignitate, dominio, regali- 
tate, jurisdiccione et preeminencia in eisdem nobis semper salvis 
et omnino reservatis. 

Et ulterius concessimus prefatis Hugoni, Thome, Jolianni 
et ffrancisco quod ipsi, heredes et assignati sui predicti, dictas 
terras firmas, Insulas et patrias, ipsis et heredibus suis predictis, 
ut premittitur sic concessas', postquam invente et recuperate 
sint, ac cum in plena possessione earundem fuerint, gaudeant, 
teneant et possideant libere, quiete, pacifice absque impedimento 
aliquali nostri aut heredum nostrorum quorumcumque. Et 
quod nullus ex subditis nostris eos aut eorum aliquem de et 
super possessione et titulo suis de et in dictis terris firmis, 
Insulis et patriis se aliqualiter contra voluntatem suam expellat 
quovis modo. Promittentes bona fide et in verbo regio nos 
ratum, gratum et firmum habituros totem et quicquid prefati 
Hugo, Thomas, Johannes et ffranciscus et eorum quilibet pro 
premissorum complemento fecerint, fierique procuraverint in 
hac jDarte. Et quod nos aut heredes nostri nullo unquam tem- 
pore infuturum ipsos aut eorum aliquem, heredesve et assignatos 
sues, in jure, titulo et possessione suis inquietabimus, impedi- 
emus aut molestiam eis f aciemus, nee per alios nostros subditos 
aut alios quoscumque, quantum, in nobis fuerit, fieri seu pro- 
curari permittimus seu procurabimus ; nee ipsos, heredes et 
assignatos suos, pro aliqua causa imposterum emergente seu con- 
tingente, ab eisdem terris firmis, patriis, provinciis et locis, nullo 
modo, amovebimus aut amoveri seu expelli per subditos nostros 
procurabimus. Proviso semper quod si contingat ipsos Hugo- 
nem, Tliomam, Johannem et ■TFrnncisoum nut oorum aliquem. 
heredes seu assignatos suos, aut eorum aliquem, aliqua loca, 
Insnlas, terras, rcgiones, provincias et patrias imposterum 
reperire, investigare seu recuperare, que antehac ab aliis sub- 
ditis nostris, aut ab aliquibus heredibus et assignatis suorum, 
potestatem per alias literas nostras patentes sub magno sigillo 

' The MS. has conccssis, but Rymer as aljove. 



PRECUKSOKS OF CARTIER 77 

nostro iu ea parte a nobis habentibus, reperta, inveuta, investi- 
gata et recuperata iion f iieriiit, quod tunc volumus et per pre- 
sentes concedimus, pro nobis et lieredibus nostris, prefatis 
Hugoni, Thome, Johanni et ffrancisco, et eorem cuilibet, lieredi- 
bus et assignatis suis, quod ipsi et eorum quilibet Insulas, 
patrias, provincias et alia loca predicta cum eorum navibus, 
hominibus, servientibus et rebus suis quibuscumque ad libitum 
-^iiuni ingredi, tenere, excercere, pacifeque secure inhabitare, ac 
inliabitari facere, et occupare absque contradiccione sen impedi- 
mento nostri aut heredum nostrorum vel aliquorum aliorum 
ligeorum nostrorum quorumcumque possint et valeant. Et 
quod nullus ex aliis nostris subditis ad aliquam Insulam, ter- 
ram, regionem, patriam et provinciam seu locum per ipsos 
Hugonem, Tliomam^ Johannem et ffranciscum sic noviter 
inventa navigare et frequentare aut in eadem ingredi, causa ac- 
quirendi seu habendi fructus, merces et mercimonia in eisdem 
crescencia presumat, absque licencia nostra regia et prefatorum 
Hugonis, Thome, Johannis et ifrancisci optinerent specialem, 
sub pena amissionis et forisfacture omnium bonorum, mercan- 
disarum, rerum et navium quorumcumque ad ea loca sic j^er 
ipsos noviter inventa navigare et in eadem ingredi presume] i- 
cium ; videlicet, una medietas inde erit ad opus nostrum et alia 
medietas ad opus dictorum Ilugonis, Thome, Johannis et ffran- 
cisci, heredum et assignatorum suorum. 

Et quamquam per alias literas nostras patentes de data 
decimi noni diei mensis maii\ anno regni nostri sextodecimo, 
concesserimus et commiserimus dilectis nobis Richardo Warde, 
Johanni Thomas et Johanni ffarnandus, ac prefatis Hugoni 
Eliot, Thome Asshehurst, Johanni Gunsalus et ffrancisco ffar- 
nandus, heredibus, attornatis, factoribus seu deputatis suis, et 
eorum cuilibet, potestatem et facultatem navigandi ad omnes 
partes, regiones et fines maris, ad inveniendum et recuperandum 
et discooperiendum Insulas, patrias et provincias memoratas, ac 
ad singula alia in eisdem literis contenta et specificata, juxta 
tenorem et effectum earundem excercendum et exequendum; 
nolumus tamen quod iidem Richardus Warde, Johannes 
Thomas et Johannes ffarnandus nee eorum aliquis, heredes seu 
assignati sui, de aut in aliquibus patriis, Insulis, terris, locis 
seu provinciis imposterum de novo sub auctoritate et potestate 

1 This is clearly a mistake for jriarcii which in the MSS. is abbreviated 
as a rule into mcii. The names correspond with those in No. XX, p. 41. 
except for the addition of that of Hngh Eliot. No trace can he found of 
any letters of 19 May, 1501. 



i O CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

presencium literarum nostraruin inveiiiendis, recuperandis et 
discooperiendis, nisi primitiis a prefatis Hugone, Thoma Asslie- 
luirste, Johaniie Gunsalus et ffrancisco licenciam optinueriiit, 
aliqualiter se intromittant, nee eorum aliquis so intromittat. 

Et quod in casu quo iidem Ricliardus Warde, Johannes 
Thomas et Johannes ffarnandus, aut eorum aliquis, seu heredes 
aut assignati sui, ad huiusmodi Insulas, patrias, regiones et alia 
loca predicta, cum eorum navibus et rebus, pro bonis in eisdem 
Insulis, j)atriis et aliis locis predictis acquirendis se divertere, 
aut aliquem vel aliquos illuc mittere et destinare voluerint, 
decreverint et disposuerint, quod tunc ipsi et eorum quilibet 
omnia et omnimoda custus et onera cum prefatis Ilugone, 
Thoma Asshehurste, Johanne Gunsalus et ffrancisco circa 
huiusmodi viagium exponenda, videlicet, quilibet eorem juxta 
ratam porcionis sue, prout inter eos poterunt concordare, quo- 
scienscumque aliquod huiusmodi viagium incipient, et ab hoc 
regno nostro ad patrias et alia loca predicta acquirenda et re- 
cuperanda se divertent, de tempore in tempus solvere, dare et 
supportare tenebimtur. 

Et insuper cum inter cetera in prenotatis articulis expressa, 
concesserimus prefatis Hugoni, Thome Asshehurste, Johanni 
Gunsalus et ffrancisco, quod ipsi et eorum quilibet, heredes et 
assignati sui, unam navem, cuiuscumque jx)rtagii fuerit, cum 
omnimodis bonis, mercandisis et mercimoniis de crescencia 
patriarum, Insularum, provinciarum, terrarum et locorum 
quorumcumque sepedictorum carcatam et onustam, in hoc 
legnum nostrum Anglie toeiens quociens sibi plaeuerit, durante 
termino quinque annorum, absque aliquibus custumis, subsidiis 
et aliis deveriis nobis pro eisdem solvendis, conducere et trans- 
portare, ac libitum suum inde facere possint et valerent; "Nos 
jam animadvertentes laudabilem inteneionem prefatorum 
Hugonis, Thome Asshehurst, Johannis Gunsalus et ffrancisci, 
quam ad honorem et utilitatem hnins regni nostriqne compla- 
cenciam liabent et gerunt, pensantesque eorum grandia custus 
et onera gravia, eciam pericula tam personarum quam boiiormn 
et rerum suorum quorumcumque, in tam gravi, tempestuoso, 
periculoso longoque maris negocio que veresimile sunt passuri, 
ex habundanti gratia nostra concessimus, et licenciam dedimus, 
pro nobis et heredibus nostris, prefatis Hugoni, Thome Asshe- 
hurste, Johanni Gunsalus et ffrancisco, et eorum cuilibet, heredi- 
])us et assignatis suis, et eorum cuiuslibet, quod ipsi et eorum 
quilibet unam aliam navem, portagii centum et viginti doliorum, 
cum bonis, rebus, jocalibus, auro et argento, ceterisque mercan- 



PRECUESOKS OF CARTIER T9 

disis et mercimoniis, de crescencia patriarum, Insularum, pro- 
vinciarum et alioriim locorum per ipsos sic imposterum noviter 
recuperandoriim, carcatam et onustam, in hoc regnum, jurisdic- 
ciones et territoria nostra queciunque, tociens qiiociens sibi pla- 
cuerit, durante termino quinque amioriini a tempore recuper- 
acionis lusularum et patriarum predictarum, jproximo et imme- 
diate sequencium, conducere et transportare ibidcnique discnr- 
care, ac de bonis, rebus, mercandisis, jocalibus, ceterisque i^re- 
missis, libitimi suum facere possint et valeant, et eorum heredes 
et assigiiati possint et valeant, et eorum quilibet possit et valeat, 
licite et impune, absque aliquibus custumis, subsidiis seu aliis 
denariis, nobis pro eisdem aut aliqua eorundem parcella nobis 
aliqualiter solvendis; Et absque aliquo impedimento, impeti- 
cione, contra diccione, molestacione seu gravamine quocumque 
nostri aut officiariorum seu ministrorum nostrorum quorum- 
cumque. 

Et ulterius cum inter cetera in Uteris nostris patentibus, 
quarum data est apud Westmonasterium dicto decimo nono die 
maii [_sic -pro marcii], anno regni nostri sextodecimo, contenta 
et specificata, certis consideracionibus [nos]' moventibus, con- 
cesserimus prefatis Johanni Gunsalus et ffrancisco, quod essent 
imperpetuum indigene et ligei nostri et heredum nostrorum, et 
in omnibus causis, querelis, rebus et materiis quibuscumque 
haberentur, pertractarentur, reputarentur et gubernarentur, 
lanquam veri et iideles ligei nostri infra regnum nostrum 
Anglie oriundi, et non aliter nee alio modo ; Quodque iidem 
Johannes Gunsalus et ffranciscus et omnes liberi sui solverent 
aut solvi facerent, et eorum quilibet solveret aut solvi faceret, 
talia custumas, subsidia et alia deveria pro bonis, mercibus, 
mercandisis et mercimoniis suis in regnum nostrum Anglie 
adducendis, vel extra idem regnum nostrum Anglie educendis, 
qualia alienigene nobis solvant, aut solvere debent vel consue- 
verunt; Et quod iidem Johannes Gunsalus et ffranciscus sol- 
verent, et eorum alter solveret, nobis et heredibus nostris tot ot 
tanta custumas, subsidia et alia deveria pro bonis et mercan- 
disis suis prout alienigene nobis solvere et reddere tenerentur: 
!N"os tamen, ob certas causas nos jam moventes, prefatos 
Johannem Gunsalus et ffranciscum ad custumas et subsidin 
nobis pro eorum bonis, mercandisis et mercimoniis sicuti alieni- 
gene solvenda nolentes, ut predictum est, onerari, set eis et 
eorum utrique gratiam facere uberiorem, de gratia nostra spe- 
ciali dedimus et concessimus, ac licenciam damns et concedimus 

1 Omitted in the MS. but given in Rymer. 



80 CANAUIAN ARCHIVES 

per presentes pro nobis et heredibus nostris prefatis Johanni 
Gimsaliis et ffrancisco, quod ipsi et eoruni alter, heredes siii ant 
lieredes eorum alterius, talia ciistumas, subsidia et alia deveria 
]:>ro bonis, mercibns, mercandisis et mercimoniis suis qnibus- 
cumque in regnum nostrum Anglie adducendisve extra idem 
regnnm cdncendis, qualia alia (sic) ligei nostri infra regniim 
nostrum Anglie oriundi nobis solvant aut solvere deberent et 
eonsueverunt, dictis Uteris nostris in contrarium inde factis non 
obstantibus. Proviso semper quod nee predicti Johannes Gun- 
salus aut ffranciscus sub colore aut velamento huius nostri 
indulti sen privilegii aliorum bona sub eorum nominibus tan- 
quam propria in, regnum nostrum introducant, sub pena confis- 
cacionis bonorum sic introductorum, et amissionis privilegii nos- 
tri predicti : eo quod expressa mencio de vero valore annuo pre- 
missorum aut de aliis donis sive concessionibus per nos eisdem 
llugoni Elyot, Thome Ayssheliurste, Johanni Gunsalus et 
ffrancisco, ante hec tempera factis, in presentibus miniuie facta 
existit; aut aliquibus statutis, actnbus sive ordinacionibus aut 
restriccionibus inde in contrarium factis, editis, ordinatis sive 
provisis aut aliqua alia re, causa vel materia quacumque in 
aliquo non obstantibus. 

Et nlterius ex uberiori gratia nostra concessimus prefatis 
Hugoni, Thome Asshehurste, Johanni Gunsalus et ffrancisco, 
quod ipsi habeant jDresentes literas nostras in Cancellaria nostra 
absque aliquo fine sen feodo aut aliquibus finibus sen feodis pro 
eisdem Uteris nostris aut aliqua parte eorundem (sic) aut pro 
magno sigillo nosti'o ad opus nostrum in hanaperio dicte Can- 
cellarie nostre aliqualiter solvendis. 

Et volumus et concedimus per presentes quod reverendis- 
simus in Christo pater Willelmus, episcopns Londoniensis, Gus- 
tos magni sigilli nostri, auctoritate presentis concessionis nostre, 
fieri faciat et sigillari tot et talia brevia sub magno sigillo nostro 
sigillando, Custodi sive clerico hanaperii nostri dirigenda, pro 
exoneracione dictornm finium et feodorimi, quot et qualia in 
hac parte necessaria fuerint et requisita, absque aliqno alio 
waranto ant prosecucione penes nos in hac parte faciendis. 

In en jus, etc. 

Teste rege apud Westmonasterium ix die decembris. 

Per ipsum Regem, et de data, etc. 

From the Public Record Office, Patent Roll 18 Henry VII., 
Part II, Doc. 1502, 'No. 592, membranes 20-30; printed in 



rin-x'UKSoRS of cautier 81 

Rymer', Foedera, etc., XIII, 37-42, London, 1712; ibid., vol. 
V, pars IV, pp. 186-S Haga? Comitis, 1741; and in Hazard, 
op. cit., 11-19. 

XXVa. 

9 December, 1502. 

OF LTCEXCE TO DISCOVER UNKNOWN LAND. 

The king to all and singnlar to whom the ])resent letters 
shall come. Greeting: Be it know to jou and made manifest 
that wo, for certain considerations us moving, by the advice of 
our Council, have granted and given licence, as by these pre- 
sents, Ave grant and give licence for ns and our heirs, as far as 
in us lie-^, to our well-iwloved subjects Hugh Elyot and Thomas 
Asshehurste, merchants of our town of Bristol, and to our well- 
beloved John Gonzales and Francis Fernandez, Esquires, of the 
islands of the Azores^ born under the dominion of the king of 
Portugal, and to any one of them whomsoever, and to the heirs, 
attorneys, factors or deputies of any one of them, and to them 
aiul to any one of them whomsoever, we grant full and free autho- 
rity, faculty and power to sail and transport themselves to all 
parts, regions and territories of the eastern, western, southern, 
arctic and northern seas, under our banners and ensigns, with so 
many and so large and such ships or vessels as may be agreeable 
to them and may be necessary, of \\'hatsoever burthen any ship 
or vessel may be, Avith masters, mates, mariners, pages and other 
men competent, requisite and necessary for the piloting, safe- 
conduct and defence of the aforesaid ships and vessels, at the 
cost and charges of the said Hugh and of the others aforesaid, 
and at such salaries, wages and stipends as they may agree upon 
among themselves, to find, recover, discover and search out any 
islands, countries, regions or provinces whatsoever of heathens 
and infidels in whatsoever part of the Avorld placed, and to set 
U)» our banners and ensigns in any city, tOAvn, castle, island or 
mainland by them thus newly found, and to enter and seize the 
said cities, towns, castles, islands and mainlands for us and in 
our name, and as our vassals and governors, lieutenants and 

1 At a meeting of the Comite des Travaux historiques et scientifiques 
I'phl on 8 June, 1892, the latp M. ^[aTcel stated that 27 vessels from La 
Rochelle and Brittany were on the Banks in the year 1502, and cited the 
Fcrdcra of Rymer. M. Marcel before his death could not remember what 
basis he had had for that statement. Cf. Bulletin de Geogr. hist, ct 
(Icscript, annee 1892, p. 210. 

4473—6 



82 CAXADIA>' A]{C1IIVES 

deputies to occupy, possess and subdue these, the property, title, 
dignity and suzerainty of the same being always reserved to us. 
Provided always that they in no wise occupy themselves with 
nor enter the lands, countries, regions or provinces of heathens 
or intidcls first discovered by the subjects of our very dear 
brother and cousin the king of Portugal, or by the subjects of 
any other princes soever, our friends and confederates, and in 
possession of which these same princes now find themselves. 
And furthermore whenever henceforth these islands, countries, 
lands and provinces shall be acquired, recovered and found by 
the aforesaid Hugh and the others named, then we will by 
these presents that all and singular, as well men as women, of 
this our realm, and the rest of our subjects wishing and desiring 
to visit these lands and islands thus newly found, and to inhabit 
the same, may and shall have power to go freely and in safety 
to the said countries, islands and places with their ships, men 
and servants and with all their goods and chattels, and to dwell 
in and inhabit the same under the protection and government of 
the said Hugh and of the others aforesaid, and to acquire and 
obtain the riches, fruits and profits of the lands, countries and 
places aforesaid. 

Giving furthermore and granting to tlie aforesaid Hugh, 
Thomas, John and Francis and to any one of them, by the tenour 
of these i^resents, full power and authority to rule and govern 
all and singular the men, sailors, and other persons removing 
and making their way to the islands, countries, provinces, main- 
lands and places aforesaid for the aforesaid purpose, as well in 
the company of the said Hugh and of the others aforesaid, as in 
the company of others happening afterwards to betake them- 
selves there, both on sea as well as in each of these countries, 
mainlands and places, after they have been found and recov- 
ered ; and to make, set up, ordain and appoint laws, ordinances, 
statutes and proclamations for the good and peaceful rule and 
government of tlie said men, masters, sailors and other ])ersons 
aforesaid, and also to issue proclamations, and to chastise and 
punish according to the laws and statutes set up by them in that 
region all and singular those whom they may find there hostile 
and rebellious, and disobedient to the law^s, statutes and ordin- 
ances aforesaid and all those who shall commit and perpetrate 
theft, homicide or robbery, or who shall rape and violate any 
women of the islands or countries aforesaid against their will 
or otherwise. 

And also we have granted to the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas, 



PRECURSOKS OF C ARTIER 83 

John and Francis, their heirs and assigns, that when any 
islands, countries, mainlands, region or province shall be 
henceforth discovered bv tlie said Hugh and the others afore- 
said, then it shall not be lawful for any subject or subjects of 
ours, during the term of forty years next and immediately fol- 
lowing, to visit with their ships or to make their way to the said 
towns, countries, islands, mainlands and places for the purpose 
of trading a-nd obtaining goods, without our royal licence and 
that of the said Hugh and of the others aforesaid, their heirs 
and assigns, or to enter the same, or to send to the same to obtain 
any goods. And after the terui of the said forty years, that none 
of our subjects shall presume to sail to or visit any mainland, 
island, country or place thus newly found by the same Hugih 
and Thomas and the others aforesaid, without our aforesaid 
licence and that of the said Hugh and of the others aforesaid, 
on pain of the loss and forfeiture of all the goods and merchan- 
dise, commodities and vessels whatsoever ventui'ing to sail to 
these places thus newly discovered and to enter the same, 
namely: one half to be for us and the other half for the said 
Hugh and the otliers aforesaid and for their heirs. 

And furthermore of our abundant grace we have granted and 
by these presents grant for us and our heirs, as far as in us lies, 
to the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas, John and Francis, and to any 
one of them whomsoever, their heirs and assigns, that they and 
any one of them may and can bring and transport and cause to 
be brought or transported merchandise, wares, gold and silver in 
bar, precious stones, and other goods whatsoever, being the pro- 
duce of the countries, islands and places aforesaid by them thus 
to be recovered and found, as well in the said ships and vessels, 
as in other strange ships whatsoever, from the said countries, 
islands, mainlands and places into this our realm of England, 
to any port whatsoever or other place in the same, and these sell 
and distribute for their own profit and advantage, any statute, 
act, ordinance or provision made or passed thence to the con- 
trary notwithstanding. 

And \v(\ bearing in mind most especially the heavy costs 
and charges which are necessary for the performance and execu- 
tion of the above, Avishing therefore to do special favour on that 
account to the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas and to the other persons 
mentioned, have granted, as by these presents we grant, to the 
same, their heirs and assigns, that they and any one of them 
whosoever, their heirs and assigns aforesaid, may, from time 

4473— 6i 



84 CAXADIAX AKCmVKS 

to time during the period of five voars from the date of tlie re- 
covery and diseoverv of the islands and countries aforesaid next 
and immediately following, land in the port or place aforesaid 
merchandise, wares and other goods, loaded and freighted on 
one vessel alone, of so great tonnage M'hatsoever it be, which 
are to be brought and transported into this our realm of Eng- 
land, and these sell, exjjose and distribute at their pleasure from 
time to time on any voyage during the period of the said five 
years without in any w-ay ])aying to us or to our heirs within 
our said realm of England, any customs, subsidies or other 
duties upon the same goods, merchandise and other things afore- 
said contained and loaded in the said one vessel alone. Pro- 
vided nevertheless that with regard to the customs, subsidies, 
j)ondages and other jiayments for the rest of the merchandise, 
wares and goods on board all the other vessels, true answers as 
is right be given to us in conformity with the jU'actice hitherto 
observed in this our realm of England. 

And furthermore we will and grant by these ])resents that 
any master, nuite and sailor of any ship whatsoever visiting and 
sailing to any mainland, island, country, province and place 
aforesaid, may have, enjoy and receive of the goods and wares 
to be brought from the said islands, mainlands and countries 
into this our realm of England the following customs and sub- 
sidies, namely: any master may have, enjoy and receive in any 
voyage the customs and subsidies on four tons ; and any mate or 
quarternuister the customs and subsidies on two tons ; and any 
sailor the customs and subsidies on one ton, even though they 
be loaded and charged as his own goods, or as the goods of any 
other person whomsoever. And this without any subsidies, 
customs, dues O)- duties being in any way paid or n>*ked for the 
same tonnage within this onr realm of England for our needs 
or those of our heirs. 

And should it happen that any merchant or merchants of 
this our realm should arrive at the said islands, countries and 
places under licence of our said subjects, or w'ithout their 
licence, for the purpose of obtaining merchandise or wares, and 
.should make a business of bringing goods and w^ares from those 
l>arts into this our kingdom, then we will and grant by these pre- 
sents to the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas, eTohn and Francis, and to 
their heirs and assigns, that they, during the aforesaid ]>eriod of 
forty years, may receive from any such merchant, after ])ayment 
to us of the usual customs, subsidies and other moneys due to us 
in such case, the twentieth part of all such goods and merchan 



PRECURSOKS OF CAETIER 85 

dise to be brought and taken by the same from the said ishmds, 
countries and places into this our realm of England on any 
voyage during the said period of forty years ;this twentieth part 
to be obtained and taken in the port in which it shall happen 
that the said goods are unloaded and discharged. Provided 
always that the aforesaid Hugh and the others aforesaid, their 
heirs and assigns, and not any other persons whosoever are 
henceforward the factors and attorneys in the said islands, main- 
lands and countries for any such merchants and other persons 
repairing there for the aforesaid cause during the said period 
of forty years in and for the trade carried on there by them. 
Provided also that no vessel loaded and freighted with goods 
and merchandise frcjni the said regions thus newly found, after 
it has been brought into any port of this our kingdom, shall be 
discharged of these goods and merchandise exce])t in the pres- 
ence of the aforesaid Hugh and of the others aforesaid, or of 
their heirs or deputies assigned for this purpose, on pain of the 
forfeiture of the said goods and merchandise, of Avhich one half 
shall be for us and the other half be given to the aforesaid Hugh 
and the others beforenamed and to their heirs. 

And if in future any strangers or other persons should pre- 
sume against the wish of the said Hugh and of the others 
beforenamed to sail to those parts for the ])urpose of enriching 
themselves, and to enter the same by violence, and there to insult 
the said Hugh and the others aforesaid or their heirs, and to 
expel and subdue them or otherwise to disturb them, then it is 
our wish and by the tenour of these presents we give and grant 
power to our said subjects to expel, resist and with all their 
force carry on and Avage war, as well by land as by sea and on 
fresh water, against these strangers, even though they be subjects 
and vassals of any prince in league and friendship with us, and 
to arrest, bind and imprison them, there to remain until they 
they shall have made fine and redemption to our said subjects, 
or otherwise to chastise and punish them according to the sober 
discretion of our said subjects and of their heirs. 

And also by the tenour of these presents we give and grant 
lull power to our aforesaid subjects and to the other persons 
aforesaid to make, constitute, nominate and appoint under 
them, by their letters patent to be sealed with their seals, any 
captains, lieutenants and deputies whomsoever in each of the 
states^ cities, towns and places of the said islands, jirovinces, 
countries and places aforesaid, for the administration and gov- 
ernment of all and singular the persons in those parts, under the 



86 



C A iN^ A I >I A X MtC 1 1 1 \- ES 



rule and authority of our said subjects there dwelling, and for 
the due execution and administration of justice in the same, 
according to the tenour and effect of the ordinances, statutes 
and proclamations aforesaid. 

And furthermore we have granted and by these presents 
grant to the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas, John and Francis, for the 
term of their lives and of the life of any one of them, the office 
of Admiral at sea in any of the ])laces, countries and provinces 
whatsoever by them thus newly discovered, and henceforth to be 
found and recovered ; and we make, constitute, ordain and 
appoint by these presents the said Hugh, Thomas, John and 
Francis and any one of them, conjointly and separately, our 
Admirals in the same parts, giving and granting them and any 
one of them by the tenour of these presents full power and 
authority to do, exercise and carry out all and singular the 
things which pertain to the office of Admiral, according to the 
law and the naval custom practised in this our realm of Eng- 
land. 

And further after the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas, John and 
Francis shall tlius have found, acquired and subdued any main- 
lands, islands, countries and provinces, cities, castles, states and 
towns by our assistance, then it is our wish and by these pre- 
sents Ave give power to them, their heirs and assigns, to have, 
hold and possess for themselves, their heirs and assigns, all and 
singular such and so great mainlands, islands, countries, pro- 
vinces, castles, cities, fortresses, states and towns, as and as 
great as they and their agents, lieutenants and servants are able 
to inhabit, take possession of, hold and maintain ; the said lands, 
islands and places aforesaid to be had and held by them, their 
heirs and assigns, and by any one of them, of us and of our heirs 
in ]3er])etuity by fidelity alone, without any fee or anything else 
being rendered or made to ns or to our heirs for the same, 
always excepting the dignity, dominion, regality, jurisdiction 
and suzerainty of the same, wholly reserved to ns. 

And furthermore we have granted to the aforesaid Hugh, 
Thomas, Jolm and Francis that they, their heirs and assigns 
aforesaid, may enjoy, hold and possess the said mainlands, 
islands and countries thus conceded to them and to their heirs 
aforesaid as set forth above, after these have been discovered 
and recovered and when they are in full possession of the same, 
freely, quietly, peaceably, without any impediment of any sort 
from us or our heirs whomsoever. And that none of our sub- 
jects shall in any way expel them or any one of them from and 



PRECLTRSOKS OF C ARTIER 8i 

out of their possession and title to and in the said mainlands, 
islands and countries in any way whatsoever against their will ; 
promising in good faith and on the word of a king that we shall 
liold ratified, acceptable and stable all and whatsoever the afore- 
said Hugh, Thomas, John and Francis, and any one of them 
whosoever, by way of coni|)]eting the jiremises, shall do or shall 
procure to be done herein. And that neither we nor our heirs 
at any time in the future shall ever disturb, hinder or molest 
them or any one of them or their heirs and assigns in their 
right, title and possession, nor shall we permit this to be done, 
nor cause it to be done by others our subjects or others Avhomso- 
ever, as far as in us lies ; nor shall we in any way remove them, 
their heirs and assigns from the said mainlands, countries, pro- 
vinces and places for any cause afterwards arising or happen- 
ing, nor shall we cause them to be removed or expelled by our 
subjects. Provided always that should it happen that the said 
Hugh, Thomas, John and Francis or any one of them, their 
lieirs or assigns, or any one of these find, search 
out or recover in the future any places, islands, lands, re- 
gions, ju'ovinces and countries which heretofore have not been 
found, disco\ered, searched out and recovered by others our sub- 
jects or by any of their heirs and assigns having authority from 
us in that region by other letters patent of ours under our Great 
Seal, then it is our wish and by these presents we grant for us 
and our heirs to the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas, John and Francis, 
and to any one of them, their heirs and assigns, that they and any 
one of them whosoever may and shall have power to enter, hold, 
administer and peaceably and securely to inhabit and cause to 
be inhabited and to occupy at tlieir free will the aforesaid isl- 
ands, countries, proAdnces and other places witli tlieir ships, 
men, servants and chattels whatsoever, without hindrance or im- 
pediment from us or our heirs or from any others our lieges 
whomsoever. And that none of our other subjects shall dare to 
sail to or frequent any island, land, region, country and province 
or place thus newly found by the same Hugh, Thomas, John and 
Francis, or to enter the same for the purpose of acquiring or 
securing the fruits, wares and merchandise produced in the 
same, without obtaining our royal licence and the si^ecial one of 
the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas, John and Francis, on pain of the 
loss and forfeiture of all the goods, merchandise, commodities 
and ships whatsoever venturing to sail to and enter these places 
thus newly found by the same, namely : one half of these to be 



88 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

for US and the other half for the said Hngh, Thomas, John and 
Francis, their heirs and assigns. 

And although by other letters patent of ours dated the 
nineteenth day of the month of May [sic pro March] in the 
sixteenth year of our reign [1501] \ we have given and granted 
to our well-beloved Richard Warde^ John Thomas and John 
Fernandez, and to the aforesaid Ihigli Eliot, Thomas /vsshe- 
liurst, John Gonzales and Francis Fernandez, their heirs, attor- 
neys, factors or deputies, and to any one of them whomsoever, 
power and authority to sail to all parts, regions and boundaries 
of the sea in order to find and recover and discover the islands, 
countries and provinces mentioned, and to pursue and carry out 
each of the other things contained and specified in the same let- 
ters according to the tenour and effect thereof; nevertheless we 
are unwilling that the same Richard Warde, John Thomas, and 
John Fernandez or any one of them, their heirs or assigns, should 
in any way enter, or that any one of them should enter or go 
near any of the countries, islands, lands, places or provinces 
found, recovered or discovered anew in the future under the 
authority and licence of these our present letters, unless they 
shall have first obtained leave from the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas 
Asshehurst, John Gonzales and Francis. 

And in case the said Richard Warde^ John Thomas and 
John Fernandez, or any one of them, or their heirs or assigns, 
may wish, determine and decide to make their way to these 
islands, countries, regions and other places aforesaid with their 
ships and goods in order to acquire wai'es in the said islands, 
countries and other places aforesaid, or to send and depute thi- 
ther any person or persons, that they and any one of them 
whosoever shall be obliged from time to time to ]iay, furnish 
and sustain all and every the costs and charges to be arranged 
at each vojage with the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas Asshehurst, 
John Gonzales and Francis, namely : any one of them according 
to the amount of his share, as they may agree among them- 
selves, as often as they shall undertake any voyage of this kind 
and make their way from this our realm to the countries and 
other places to be acquired and recovered as aforesaid. And 
furthermore since among the other things set out in the above- 
mentioned articles, we have granted to the aforesaid Hugh. 
Thomas Asshehurst, John Gonzales and Francis, that they and 
any one of them Avhosoever, their heirs and assigns, can and may 



^ Cf. p. 77 note, and No. XXa. xupra, p. 50. 



PKECURSOKS OF CAKTIKR 89 

conduct and transport into this our realm of England, as often 
as they please, during a period of five years, one vessel, of what- 
soever burthen she be, loaded and freighted with all kinds of 
goods, merchandise and wares produced in the comitries, 
islands, provinces, lands and places whatsoever aforesaid, with- 
out paying to us any customs, subsidies and other dues for the 
same, and freely dispose thereof; we now bearing in mind the 
praiseworthy intention which the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas Ass- 
hehurst, John Gonzale-i and Francis entertain and practise to the 
honour and utility and contentment of this our realm, and con- 
sidering their great costs and heavy charges, as well as the 
dangers both to their persons as to their goods and chattels what- 
soever, which to all appearances they are about to incur in such 
a difficult, tempestuous, dangerous and distant maritime under- 
taking, of our abundant grace, have granted and given licence 
for us and our heirs to the aforesaid Hugh, Thomas iVsshehurst, 
John Gonzales and Francis, and t(» any one of thorn Avhomsoever, 
their heirs and assigns, and to any one of these whomsoever, that 
fliey and any one of them whosoever may and can conduct and 
transport into this our kingdom, jurisdictions and territories, as 
often as it may please them, a second vessel of one hundred and 
twenty tens burthen, loaded and freighted with goods, commo- 
dities, jewels, gold and silver and other wares and merchandise 
produced in the countries, islands, provinces and other places by 
them thus henceforth newly to be recovered, during a period of 
five years from the date of the recovery of the islands and coun- 
tries aforesaid next and immediately following, and there dis- 
charge her, and deal as they wish with the goods, commodities, 
merchandise, jewels and other things above stated, and the same 
shall be permitted and allowed to their heirs and assigns, and 
to any one of them whomsoever, freely and securely, without in 
any way paying to us any customs, subsidies or other dues for 
the same or any portion of the same. And this without any im- 
pediment, exaction, objection, annoyance or hindrance whatso- 
ever from us or from our officers or servants wnomsoever. 

And furthermore since among the other things contained 
and set forth in our letters patent dated at Westminster on the 
said nineteenth of May [i.e. March], in the sixteenth year of 
our reign [1501], we, for certain considerations us moving, have 
granted to the aforesaid John Gonzales and Francis, that they 
should be for ever subjects and lieges of us and of our heirs, 
and in all lawsuits, quarrels, nnatters and affairs Avhati^oever 
should be held, considered, treated and governed as our true 



90 



(•A.NAI)IA^■ AKCIUVES 



and faitliful lieges born within this onr reahn of England, and 
not otherwise nor in any other manner; and that the same 
John Gonzales and Francis and all their children shonld pay or 
canse to he paid, and any one of them whosoever should pay or 
cause to be paid such customs, taxes and other dues for their 
goods, wares, merchandise and commodities brought into this 
our realm of England or carried out of this our said realm of 
England, as foreigners pay or are bound or accustomed to pay to 
lis; and that the said John (Jonzales and Erancis should ])ay 
and either of them should pay to us and our heirs as many and 
as large customs, subsidies and other dues for their goods and 
luerchandise as foreigners are bound to pay and deliver to us. We 
therefore for certain reasons us now moving, being unwilling 
that the aforesaid John Gonzales and Erancis should be charged 
the customs and subsidies payable to us as foreigners for their 
goods, merchandise and wares as above stated, but wishing to 
shew them and each of them a further favour, of our special 
grace have gi\en and granted and by these presents give and 
grant licenee for us and our heirs to the aforesaid John Gonzales 
and Erancis, that they and either of them, their heirs or the heirs 
of either of them pay such customs, subsidies and other dues for 
their goods, Avares, merchandise and connnodities whatsoever to 
be brought into this our realm of England or to be taken out of 
the same realm, as pay or are bound and accustomed to pay 
others our lieges born within our realm of England, our said 
letters patent made thence to the contrary notwithstanding. 
Provided always that the aforesaid John Gonzales and Erancis 
under colour or cover of this concession or privilege of ours shall 
not introduce into our kingdom under their own names the 
goods of others as their own goods, on pain of the confiscation of 
the goods so introduced and of the loss of our aforesaid ])rivi- 
lege ; although express mention of the true annual value of the 
above or of the other gifts or concessions made by us before this 
time to the said Hugh Elyot, Thomas Aysshehurst, John Gon- 
zales and Erancis is in no wise- set out in these presents, or any 
statutes, acts or ordinances or restrictions made, published, 
ordained or provided thence to the contrary, or any other cir- 
cumstance, cause or matter whatsoever in any way notwith- 
standing. 

And again of our further favour we have granted to the 
aforesaid Hugh, Thomas Asshehurst, John Gonzales and Eran- 
cis our present letters patent in our Chancery without payment 
to us of anv fine or fee or of anv fines or fees for the same or 



PKEOUlJSOitS OF CAUTllOJt 91 

any part thereof or for our Great Seal in aii}^ way at the Ex- 
chequer of our said Chancery. 

And we will and grant by these presents that the most Rev- 
erend father in God, William, bishop of London, custodian of 
our Great Seal, by the authority of this our present grant, shall 
cause to be prepared and sealed as many and such briefs, sealed 
with our Great Seal, and directed to the custodian or clerk of 
our Exchequer, for the discharge of the said fines and fees as 
and such as may be necessary and requisite for the same, Avith- 
out any other warrant or attendance being made before us in 
this matter. 

In witness whereof, etc. 

Witness ourself at Westminster on the nintii of December. 
By the King himself and at the date, etc. 



XXVI. 

6 December, 1503. 

APPROPEIATIOX FOR THE PENSIOX GRANTED TO FERNANDEZ 
AND GONZALES. 

Henry, by the grace of God King of England and of ffraunce, 
and lord of Irland, To the Tresourer and Chambrelains of oure 
Eschequier, greting: Where as We by our letters undre oure 
prive seal bering date at oure manour of Langley the xxvi" 
day of septembre, the xviii**" yere of oure Reigne [1502], 
e-af and araunted unto oure trustv and welbeloved subgiettes, 
ffraunceys ifernandus and John Guidisalvus, squiers, in con- 
sideracion of the true service which they have doon unto us to 
oure singler pleasure as Capitaignes into the newe founde lande, 
unto eithre of them ten poundes yerely during oure pleasure to 
be had and perceyved of the Revenues of oure Custumes com- 
uiyng and growing within oure poort of Bristowe, by the handes 
of the customers there that now be and hereafter shalbe, at the 
festes of Estre and Michaelmes, by even porcions, And foras- 
moche as Richard Meryk and Arthure Kemys, late Custumers in 
oure said poort of Bristowe, have paide unto the said ffraunceys 
ffernandus and John Guidisalvus twenty pounclcs for oon hool 
yere ended at the fest of Saint Michell tharchaungell last past 
[29 Sept., 1503], for the which they have no maner of discharge 
to be alleged at theire accomptes before the Barons of oure 
Eschequier, Wherfore we wol that ye in due and sufficient 



92 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

founiie doo to be levied for tliesaid tfraiinceys Ifernandus and 
John Giiidisalvus a taille or tallies conteignying the said siiinnie 
of xx^*. upon Richard Meryk and Arthure Kemjs, late Cus- 
tumers in oure said poort, of the revenues of thesame, And fur- 
thermore we wol that ye fromhensforth from tyme to tyme and 
yere to yere, doo to be levied severall tallies contelguyng thesald 
summe of xx€i. upon the Customers of oure said poort that 
nowe lie and herafter shallbe, unto the tyme ye shall have from 
us otherwise in commaundement by writing, And thesald taille 
or tallies in due and sufficient fourme levied upon thesald Cus- 
tumers at the testes beforesald, we wol that ye delyverc unto 
thesald ifraunceys ffernandus and John Guidlsalvus, or unto 
the bringer lierof in theire names, to be taken of oure gyfte by 
way of rewarde without preste or eny othre maner of charge to 
bo set upon them or eny of them for thesame, And thles oure 
letters slialbe youre sufficient warrant in that behalf. Yeven 
undre oure prlve Seal at oure Citle of London the vi*^^ day of 
Decenibre, the xix"^ yere of oure Relgne [1503] . 

R. BOLMAN. 

From the Public Record Office, Exchequer of Receipt, AVar- 
rants for Issue, No. 84, No. I; printed in Ilarrlsse, John 
Cabot, etc., 397-8. 



XXVII. 

17 S('pt('nd)or, ^T^OCy. 

GKANT AND CONFIRMATION TO VASCO ANNES CORTE REAL OF THE 
LETTERS PATENT TO CASPAR CORTE REAL. 

\ Vaascjueanes Corte Reall doa^am e comlirmacam da doa- 
Qam (pie foy felta a Gaspar Corte Reall, sen Tnnaao, das terras 
que descubrio com suas llmltacooes e declaracoocs nella comteu- 
das. 

])om Manuell, etc. A quantos esta nossa carta do coniiir- 
macam & doacam virem, fazemos saber, que por parte de Vas- 
queanes Corte Reall, de nosso comselho & veador de nossa casa, 
nos foy apresentado huua nossa carta de doacam, per nos asin- 
ada & asseelada de nosso sello do chumbo, quo fezemos a Gas- 
par Corte Reall, fidalgo da nossa casa, sen irmaao, das terras 
que elle descubrio, da quail ho theor tall he: Dom Manuell, per 
gra<?a de Dens, Rey de Purtugall & dos Algarves, daquem & 
dallem mar em Africa, Senhor de Gulnee, <S: da comqnista. 



rRKCUKSORS OF OARTIER 0^, 

navegagam & commercio d'Etiopia, Arabia, Persia & da Yindia, 
a quantos esta nossa carta de doaeam virem, fazemos saber, que 
per qiianto Gas])ar Corte Reall [etc.. as in Xo. XVII, ]>. r52]. 

Pidimdonos lio dicto Vaasqueanes Corte Reall por merge, 
que por a dicta doaeam vir e traspassar a elle per fallecimento 
do dicto sen irmaao, scguiido forma della, Ihe mandassemos dar 
nossa carta de comfirmagam em forma, & visto por nos sen 
reqiierimento, k avemdo respecto & lembramga como ho dicto 
Gaspar Corte Keall, sen irmaao, foy o primeiro descubridor 
das dietas terras a sua ])ro])ria casta (Sc despessa, conio muito 
trabalho k risco de sua pessoa, & como finalmente com muitos 
criados & homes, que comsigo levava, nisso acabou ; & assi 
mesmo como (k'S]iois Miguell Corte Reall, sou irmao, que 
fov nosso porteiro uioor, vmdo em busca do dicto seu irraaao 
com iiavios & geute, que a sua propria custa & despessa armou, 
no que gastou muito de sua fazemda, por buscar & acliar <Sr remir 
o dicto seu irmaao, & assi por nos servir no descubrimento das 
dietas terras, em que trabalhou quamto possivell fov, no que 
outrosi, a])os ho dicto seu hiriiiaao, falleceo »i' acabou, «^ com 
elle muytos criados de seu ])ai & sens & do dicto Vasqueanes que 
comsigo levava ; & esguardamdo isso mesmo como em todo este 
feito ho dicto ^^aasqueanes com sua propia fazemda, criados & 
homes sens sempre ajndou ahos dictos sens irmaaos (S: aimda 
oje em dia de sua fazemda paga & satisfaz as dividas &: carregos 
S: obrigacoocs que por esta cassnsa hos dictos sens hirmaaos leix- 
aram, polios quaaes respeictos, dividamente he razam que o 
louvor (ly: moreci]nento dos servicos em que hos dictos sens 
irmaaos suas vidas acab'.iram, tiqnc i^erjiotuado no dicto Vaas- 
queanes Corte Reall & nos que dellc descenderem, nos, per esta 
presemte carta declaramos ])or soccesor da dicta nossa doaeam 
alio dicto Vaasqueanes Corte Reall & a todos sens herdeiros & 
soccessores, segumdo forma da dicta doagam, da quail em todo & 
por todo hussara, »S: assi sens soccessores, como ho fizeram os 
dictos Gaspar Corte Reall em sua vida, & per seu fallecimento 
sens filhos, herdeiros & soccessores, a que por linha dereicta a 
dicta doaeam devera vir, <S: assi <fc como na dicta doaeam he com- 
,teudo & declarado, & com todalas clausullas em ella comtheudas, 
assi como se ]n-o])iamente no ])rimcipio fora feita ao dicto Vaas- 
queanes Corte Reall. E queremos que agora & em todo tempo 
se regulle &: cmtemda nelle sem embargo de quaae^quer lex & 
hordenacooes, dereytos, custunie. o]uniones, facanhn-, cnpitollos 



94 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

de cortes, ley mentall & qualquer outra coussa que em comtrairo 
disso seia on possa seer, em qiiallqiier maneira; por que toda 
cassamos, anulamos & avemos por nenliuua & de nihu vigor & 
forga. E queremos que comtra a dicta doagam feita ao dicto 
Gaspai- Corte Reall, & comtra esta nossa carta de comfirmagaui 
& declara^am, & comtra o todo comteudo uella^ nom ajam lugar 
em todo nem em ])arte, & soprimos aqui de nosso reall & absolute 
poder todo & quallquer defeito & de dereicto que seia ncQCsareo 
jDera mayor firmidam de todo o que dicto lie, posto que possa 
ser clausola tall de que se devera fazer expressa mengam. E por 
segurainga do dicto Vaasqueanes Corte Reall & de todos sens 
herdeiros & soccessores, a que esta doagam dereictamente ouver 
de vir, llie mandamos dar esta nosa carta per nos asinada & 
assellada do nosso seello de chumbo, a quail mandamos que em 
todo se eumpra & guarde, como em ella he comteudo ; & quere- 
mos & nos praz que por esta niesma carta, seni mais outra 
auctoridade de justiga, elle dicto Vaasqueanes Corte Reall 
mande tomar a posse reall, auctuall, de toda a dicta terra & 
cousas na dicta doagam comteudas, & assi lios que delle decem- 
derem, porque asi he nosa mergee. Dada em a eidade de Coim- 
bra, a desesete dias do mcs de scj^tcmbro. Andre Piriz a fez, 
anno do nagimento do nosso Senlior Jhu X° de mill & quin- 
hentos e seis. 

From the Archivo nacional da Torre do Tombo, Livro quinto 
dos Misticos fols. 46-7 : also in liv. XXXV of D. Joao III, fols. 
2"-3^ and in liv. XLIX. of same, fol. 243\ Printed in Har- 
risse, Les Corte-Eeal, 220-2; Archivo dos Aqores, IV, 499-501; 
and in Alguns Documenios, etc., 150-3. 



XXVIIa. 

grant and confirmation to vasco annes corte real op the 
concession made to his brother gaspar corte real of 
the lands discovered by him, with the limitations 
and declarations therein set forth. 

King Emmanuel, &c. To as many as shall see this confir- 
mation and grant of ours we make known, that there was pre- 
sented to us by Vasco Annes Corte Real, one of our Council and 
the Comptroller of our Household, a grant of ours signed by us 
and sealed with our leaden seal, which we made to his brother 
Gaspar Corte Real, a nobleman of our court, of the lands dis- 



PRECURSORS OF CAIMTKK 95 

covered by liinij the tenour of which is as follows: King Em- 
manuel, by the grace of God, king of Portugal and of the 
Algarves, on this and that side of the ocean in Africa, lord of 
Guinea, and of the Conquest, I^avigation and Commerce of 
Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia and India, to as many as shall see this 
grant of ours, we make known [etc., as in jSTo. XVIIa, p. 35]. 
Since through the death of his said brother the said grant, 
according to the tenour thereof, comes and passes to him, the 
said Vasco Annes Corte Real, he asks us as a favour to order our 
letters of confirmation to be given to him in due form, and in 
view of his request, and considering and remembering how his 
brother, the said Caspar Corte Reall, was the first to discover 
the said lands, at his own expense, and at the expenditure of 
much labour and at the risk of his life; how finallv he perished 
therein with many servants and men whom he had taken with 
him; and likewise how afterwards his brother Michael Corte 
Eeal, who was our major-domo, on searching for his saitl 
brother with men and ships, fitted out at his o^vn expense, 
wherein he expended much of his i^atrimony in order to look 
for, find and recover his said brother, and also in order to serve 
us in the discovery of the said lands, at which he laboured as 
far as was possible, likewise died after his said brother, and lost 
his life therein, and with him many of his father's, his own and 
the said Vasco Annes's servants, whom he had with him; 
and wo bearing this in mind and also how in all this the 
said Yasco Annes always assisted his said brothers with his own 
property, servants and men, and even to this day pays and 
liquidates with his money the debts, charges and obligations 
left behind on account of this by his said brothers; for 
which reasons it is right and proper that the reward and praise 
for the services in which his said brothers lost their lives, should 
be perpetuated in the said Vasco Annes Corte Real and in his 
descendants : We by these present letters patent assign the suc- 
cession of our said grant to the said Vasco x\nnes Corte Real and 
to all his heirs and successors, according to the tenour of the 
said grant, of which he and his successors shall everywhere 
make as complete use as did the said Caspar Corte Real during 
his life, and on his death, his sons, heirs and successors to whom 
by direct descent the said grant ought to come, and in the form 
and manner stated and declared in the said grant, and with all 
the clauses therein contained, in such a manner as if it had been 
really drawn up for the said Vasco Annes Corte Real in the first 
instance. And we desire that, both now and at all times, it be 



96 CAISTADIAIN' ARCIIITES 

SO followed and construed in spite of any law, ordinances, 
rights, custo.ni, pretentions, debated questions, decrees of the 
Three Estates and mental law and anything else whatsoever 
that might or could run in any way to the contrary; for we 
revoke, annul and declare all such invalid and without force 
and effect. And avc desire that there be no opposition in whole 
or in part to the said gTant made to the said Gaspar Corte Eeal, 
or to these letters of confirmation and declaration, or to the 
whole contents thereof ; and of our royal and absolute power, wc 
here supply any and every defect and authority that may be 
necessary for the greater stability of all the above, notwith- 
standing there 1)C a clause of which special mention should bo 
made. And for the security of the said Vasco Annes Corte Real 
and of all his heirs and successors, to whom this grant should of 
right come, wc order these letters patent of ours, sigTied by us 
and sealed with our leaden seal, to be given, which we direct to 
be carried out in full and to be fulfilled according to the tenour 
thereof. And we desire and it is our pleasure, that in virtue of 
these letters patent, withcait further judicial authority, the said 
Vasco Annes Corte Real and his descendants order real and 
actual possession to be taken of all the said land and matters set 
forth in the said grant ; for such is our pleasure. Given in the 
city of Coimbra on 17 September. Andrew Piriz made this 
in the vear of our Lord Jesus Christ 1506. 



XXVIII. 

11 October, 1506. 

A TAX LAID OX X EWFOITXDLAXD COD IN PORTUGAL,. 

Trelado de hua C^irta del Rey, nosso Senhor, acerqua da 
Dizima dos bacalhaos. 

Diego Branda, Xos el Re\' vos emviamos niuyto saudar: 
jNTos soubemos agora como nos portos do mar dessa comarqua 
dantre Doutro (sic) & ]\liiiho, ou em algus delles dada a ]iosse 
das dizimas do pescado que vem das pescarias da Terra 
Nova, aquelles que tem de nos as dizimas dos pescados, & isto 
per alguas sentencas que fora dadas pellos -Tuizes dos dreitos 
reaes em favor dos que tem as ditas dizimas. E por que esta 
cousa releva muyto a nosso servigo, & na ha de passar assi livre- 
mente, Vos mandamos, que logo que esta pos for dada, saybaees 
OS logares em que assi he dada a dita posse, e aquelles quo 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 97 

achardes que a tern, na leixees della usar, & a day a posse a 
nossos offigiaes pera-nos arrecadare dizimas, ate neste caso 
se dar final despacho, per homde & como deve, & na se dara a 
posse a nenhiia pessoa, salvo per sentenca que seja dada eiu a 
nossa corte, & asinada do nosso proprio sinal^ e na em outra 
maneira. E esto da dita posse fazei assi nos logares em que ja 
estever algus como naqueles em que aimda dada nao for, em 
todos OS portos do mar dessa comarqua day este recado & o pro- 
vede como dito lie. E fazendo o com grande diligengia porque 
assi compre muito a noso servirgo (sic). Escrita em Leiria a 
xiiii dias doutubro. Antonio Carneiro, de quinhentos & seis 
anos. 

Trelladada per Diego Pinto regebedor. 

From the Archive nacional da Torre do Tombo at Lisbon, 
register of the Customs at Oporto, entitled Livro dos Registos 
del Rei noso snor, das cartas & alvaras, mandados & outras 
cartas que o dito Snor manda a esta Alfandega, fol. 46. 



XXVIIIa. 

copy of a letter from our lord the king in regard to the 
tithe on codfish. 

Diogo Branda, We, the king, send you many greetings : 
We have learned at this time how in the sea-ports of that 
district between the Douro and Minha,^ or in some of .them, a 
grant of possession was made of the tithes on the fish that come 
from the fisheries of JSTewfoundland to those who hold fishing- 
tithes from us, and this by virtue of some verdicts given by the 
Judges of the royal Customs in favour of those who hold the 
said tithes. And since this is a matter of great importance to 
our service and must not thus pass without control, We order 
you, as soon as this reaches you, to find out the towns in which 
tlie said possession has been thus granted, and not to allow those 
who hold it to make use thereof ; and you are to give possession 
to our officers, in order that they may collect tithes in our behalf 
until a final decision has been reached in this case in the proper 
place and manner. And possession shall not be granted to any 
one, except by verdict given in our court and signed with our 
sign-manual and not in any other manner. And into this said 

1 Of which the chief port is Vianna. CiMemorias economicas da 
Academia das sciencias de Lisboa, tomo IV., 338. Lisboa, 1812. 
4,473—7 



98 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

matter of possession you are to inquire as well in the towns in 
which some of these exist, as in those in -which none has been 
granted ; you are to give an account thereof in all the sea-ports 
of that district and to provide therefor as already stated. And 
show great care in this because it is most important for our 
service. Written in Leiria on 15 October. Antonio Carneiro, 
1506. Copied by Diogo Pinto, collector. 



XXIX. 

1506. 

VOYAGE OF PETER DE BARCELLOS AND JOHN FERNANDEZ. 

. . . Respondo eu^ Pedro de Barcellos, a este requerimento em 
caso que nao era necessario agradecer, he digo que as terras e 
biscoitos hum Rodrigo Chamorro, men antecessor, ouve as ditas 
terras e biscoutos juntamente por carta de dada d' Alfonso do 
Amarall\ ouvidor que foi em esta ilha com carrego de capitem; 
entam que as ditas terras socedero a mim, Pedro de Barcellos, do 
dito Rodrigo Chamorro; eu as tornei aver por carta de nova 
reforma^ao^ dos almoxarifes, as terras e biscoitos todo junta- 
mente; nas quaes terras eu fiz em ellas muitas ro§as he bemfei- 
torias, tendo terras aproveitadas que bem podiam levar xiiij ou 
xb moyos de pam, em semeadura ; estando asi em posse d'ellas ho 
dito tempo, ouve hum mandado delrrey nosso, nosso senhor, 
para hir a descobrir, eu e hum Joha Fernandes, llavrador, no 
quail descobrimento andamos bons tres anos, e cando tornei a 
dita ilha, achei ha minha jente fora das ditas terras, e achei em 
posse dellas bus filhos de Joha Velladam', enlleandoas e tres- 
passandoas em outras muitas pessoas," etc. 

Prom an application in the Archives -at Ponta Delgada, 
Azores, fol. 9 : printed in the Archivo dos Aqores, XII, 369, 
with a facsimile. 



1 This document dated 21 August, 1486, was confirmed on 18 June, 
1488. Cf. Archivo dos Azores, XII, 369, note 1. 

2 This was first issued on 19 October, 1490, and renewed on 14 April, 
1495. Cf. ibid., 370. 

3 The first grant to them of 30 January, 1495, was renewed on 
14 April, 1502. ibid., 371. 



precursors of cartier 99 

XXIXa. 

... To this application, I, Peter de Bareellos, in case it be 
not necessary to approve thereof, make reply and say that my 
ancestor, a Eodri^o Chamarro, held the said lands and biscuits 
jointly, by a grant from Alfonso do Amarall, formerly auditor 
in this island with the commission of captain : that next, the 
said lands passed from the said Rodrigo Chamarro to me, Peter 
de Barcellos. I received again the lands and biscuits jointly by 
a fresh grant of discharge from the receiver of the king's cus- 
toms, on which lands I made many clearings and betterments, 
possessing cultivated lands which could easily produce from 
corn-fields 14 to 15 moios^ of bread. Being thus at the said date 
in possession of these, I received a command from the king, our 
master, to go on a voyage of discovery, I and a John Fernandes, 
proprietor, on which discovery we* were absent three good years ; 
and when I returned to the said island, I found my people 
driven from the said lands, and some sons of John Velladam in 
possession thereof, who were conveying and transferring them 
to many other people, etc. 



XXX. 

1509. 

AN ANONYMOUS ACCOUNT OF CABOT^S VOYAGE AND OF THE 
ARRIVAL OF SAVxVGES FROM NEWFOUNDLAND. 

Cronicon regum Anglie et Series Maiorum et vicecomitum 
Civitatis London ah anno primo Henrici tertii ad annum 
primum Henrici octavi, etc. 

1497^ William Purchas, jBartholemew ReedJ Anno xiij°. 
mercer. (Thomas Wyndoutej 

This yere the kyng, at the besy request and supplicacion of a 
Straunger venisian, which by a caart made hym self expert in 
knowyng of the world, caused the kyng to manne a ship w 
vytaill and other necessaries, for to seche an Hand wheryn the 
said straunger surmysed to be grete comodities, w'' which ship 
by the kynges grace so rygged went iij or iiij moo owte of 

1 Cf . p. 60, supra, note 2. , „- , , i i i 

2 This year began apparently on 15 September, 1497, and ended on 14 
September, 1498. Cf. C. L. Kingsford, Chronicles of London, note, 327-30. 
The regnal year began on 22 August. 

4473— 7i 



100 ' CANADIAN AECIIIVES 

Bristowe, the said straunger beyng Conditor of the said fflete, 
wheryn dyvers merchauntes aswell of London as Bristow aven- 
tured goodes and sleight merchaundises, which departed from 
the west cuntrey in the begynnyng of somer, but to this present 
moneth came nevir knowlege of their exployt. 

Sir John Shaa, jSir Laurence Aylmer| ^^^^ xvii®. 

aurifaber. | Henry Hede j 

III men were brought front the neiue Ilond. 

This yere^ three men were brought out of an Hand founde 
by merchauntes of Bristow forre beyonde Irelond, the which 
were clothed in Beestes skynnes and ete raw fflessh, and rude in 
their demeanure as Beestes. 

From the British Museum, MS. Cotton, Vitelius A XVI. 
fols. 168^ 173, 183' and 204; printed in the Proceed- 
ings of the American Antiquarian Society for April 25, 1860, 
37, Boston, 1860; the same Proceedings for October 21, 1865, 
22, Cambridge, 1866 ; but better in the Proceedings of the meet- 
ing at Boston on 21 October, 1881, p. 440, Worcester, 1881; 
Harrisse, Jean et Sebastien Cabot, 316; Tarducci op. cit., 347; 
John Fiske, The Discovery of America, II, 5, note I, Boston, 
1893 (from Harrisse) ; Weare, op. cit., 164-5 ; Beazley, op. cit., 
98-9; Winship, op. cit., 47; and C. L. Kingsford, Chron- 
icles of London, 224 and 258, London, 1905. 



XXXL 

REWARD FOR A VOYAGE TO THE NORTH. 

7 June, 1509. 

Carta de privilegio a Diogo de Barcellos, filho de Pero de 

Barcellos^ 

Dom Manuell, etc., a quamtos esta nosa carta virem [faze- 
mos saber] ^, que avemdo nos respeito aos servigos que temos 
recebidos de Pero de Barcelos, ja finado, morador que foy [na]' 
nosa ilha Tergeira, narmagam* e descubrimento da parte de 

115 September, 1501, to 14 September, 1502. 
2 Vid. Archivo dos Azores, XII, 366, and supra pp. 98-99. 
' These words are omitted in the original. 

* Cf. Harrisse, D6couverte et ivolution cartographique de Terre- 
Neuve, 41, note 3. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 101 

norte, e qiieremdo por ello fazer graga e merge a Dieguo de Bar- 
celos, morador na dita Ilha, sen fillio, temos por bem e o toma- 
mos por noso vasallo, e queremos que daquj em diamte seja 
privilegiado, escusado e gardado, que nam pague, nem sirva em 
nenliuuos preitos, fimtas, talhas, pididos, servigos, emprestidos, 
nem outros nenhuus encaregos que pelo concelho ou lugar onde 
morar forem lamcados per quail quer guisa que seja, nem o cos- 
trangam nem mamdem costranger que va com presos nem com 
dinheiros, nem com nenliuuos caregos, nem seja titor nem 
curador de nenhuuas pesoas que sejam, salvo se as teturias forem 
lidimas, nem aja oficio de concelho comtra sua vomtade ; outro 
sy mandamos e defemdemos que nom seja nenliuu tarn ousado, 
de quail quer estado e comdicam que seja, que Ihe pousem em 
suas casas de morada, adegas, nem cavalarigas, nem Ihe tomem 
delas seu pam e vinho, roupa, pallia, ceveda, lenha, galinhas, 
gados, nem bestas de sella nem dalbarda, nem bois, caros, nem 
caretas, nem nenhuus navios que tenha, nem outra cousa de seu 
comtra sua vomtade. E porem mamdamos etc.\ em forma. 
Dada em a nosa cidade d'Evora aos bij dias do mes de junho. 
Afonso Mexia a fez, ano de b° e biiij annos ; e deste privilegio 
gogara e usara o dito Dieguo de Barcelos somente e outro nen- 
huu seu nam. 

From the Torre do Tombo, Chancel, de Dom Manuel, liv. 
XXXVI, fol. 21: printed ^in Sousa Viterbo, Trahallios nauti- 
CQs dos Portuguezes nos seculos XVI e XVII, parte IP, 136-7. 
Lisboa, 1900. 



XXXIa. 

privilege granted to diogo de barcellos^ son of peter de 

barcellos. 

King Emmanuel, &c. To as many as shall see this grant of 
ours [we make known], that in consideration of the services we 
have received from Peter de Barcellos, formerly an inhabitant 
of our island of Terceira, now deceased, in the expedition sent 
to discover in the northern parts; and being desirous on this 
account to show kindness and favour to his son, Diogo de Bar- 
cellos, dwelling on the said island, we are pleased to accept him 

iVid. No. XVIII, p. 38. 



102 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

as our vassal; and it is our wish that henceforth he be freed, 
excused and protected from payment or service in any law-suits, 
taxes, dues, tributes, obligations, loans or other charges imposed 
in any way whatsoever by the council or town wherein he dwells, 
nor shall they force or order him to be forced to bring prisoners 
or money or any imposts, or to be guardian or trustee of any 
persons whatsoever, except the guardianship be legitimate, nor 
to be councillor against his will. Furthermore we order and 
decree that no one, of whatsoever estate and condition, be so bold 
as to lodge in his dwelling-house, cellars or stables, nor there- 
from to take his bread and wine, clothing, straw, barley, wood, 
hens, cattle, or saddle or pack animals, nor his oxen, waggons, 
and carts, nor any ships belonging to him, nor anything else of 
his against his will. And furthermore we order, etc.^ Given in 
our city of Evora on 7 June. Alfonso Mexia made this in the 
year 1509. And the said Diogo de Barcellos only and not any 
other member of his family is to enjoy and use this privilege. 



XXXII. 

^l October, 1511. 

WAEKANT OF QUEEN JOANNA TO JOHN DE AGRAMONTE COVERING 

AN AGREEMENT WITH KING FERDINAND FOR A 

VOYAGE TO NEWFOUNDLAND. 

Sobrecarta del Asiento que se tomo a Juan de Agramonte 
que va a saber el secreto de la tierra nova. 

Doiia Juana etc. 

Por quanto por parte de vos, Juan de Agramonte, Catalan, 
natural de Lerida,^ que es en el reyno de Catahma, me fue hecha 
relacion quel Rey, my Seiior e Padre, mando tomar e tomo cierto 
concierto e asiento con vos, par que vos ayais de yr, e vays, a 
vuestra costa e mysyon, a descobrir cierta Tierra Nueva en los 
limites que a Xos pertenesgen, segund en el dicho asyento e con- 
cierto se contiene, su tenor del cual dicho asyento es este que 
se sygue : 

El Rey 

El asyento que por mi mandado se tomo e asento con vos, 

1 Cf. No. XVIIIa, p. 39 supra. 

2 Kear Barcelona. Tf, is the i&cond city of Catalonia 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 103 

Juan de Agramonte, Catalan, natural de Lerida, para ir a saber 
el secrete de la Tierra Nueva es este : 

Primeramente, que vos podays yr e vays con doss navios del 
grandor que vos paresgiere, que sean de nuestros vasallos, sub 
ditos e naturales, e asymismo la gente que llevardes sean natur- 
ales de estos reynos, ecebto que dos pilotos que llevardes sean 
Bretones, 6 de otra nagion que alia ayan estado, a vuestra costa 
e mysyon a la dicha Tierra Nova, por la costa 6 parte que mejor 
hos pareciere a vos e a los marineros que con vos llevardes para 
el dicho viaje, no tocando en la parte que pertenesge al Sereny- 
simo Rey de Portogal, nuestro liijo^ y entiendese aquellas que 
estovieren dentro de los limites que entre Nos y el estan 
senalados^, y que vos seays obligado de fletar e bastecer los dichos 
navios para el dicho viaje a vuestra costa e misyon ; e para los 
cargar e fletar Yo vos doy licencia que los podays fletar y cargar 
en los puertos de Laredo e Santander^, 6 qualquier dellos; e 
para que en ello no se vos ponga ynpedimiento vos doy con la 
presente, provision para los concejos e justicias de las dichas 
villas e puertos, que vos lo dejen e consyentan hazer ; para el 
qual dicho viaje soys obligado de partyr lo antes e mejor que 
pudierdes. 

Ytem : Que Yo vos aya de dar e de licencia, e por la presente 
vos la doy, para que todas las cosas que ovierdes menester para 
fornimiento de los dichos navios, e de algunas mercaderyas que 
seran nesgesarias para rescatar en la dicha Tierra Kova, que las 
podays comprar e cargar en los dichos navios, sin pagar derechos 
algimos de los que a ISTos pertenesgieren de las dichas cosas que 
cargardes, jnrando vos ante las justicias que seguyreys vos ellos 
el dicho viaje. 

Ytem: Que por quanto vos aveis de yr por los pilotos, que 
con vos han de yr al dicho viaje, a Bretaiia, que teneys voluntad 
de proveeros de alii de vinos e harina e carne, para lo traer al 
dicho puerto de Laredo 6 Santander, que Yo vos aya de dar e 
de licengia e provisyon para que de la entrada con los dichos 
navios e harina e carne no pagueys derechos de los a N^os per- 
tenesgientes, ni se os hagan descargar, no embargante qualquier 
costumbre 6 prematicas que en contrario aya, para lo cual se 
vos dio la provision necesaria. 

Ytem: Que de todo lo que rescatardes e ovierdes en qual- 
quier manera en el dicho viaje, nos ayais de dar e deys, sacadas 

1 Emmanuel had married Ferdinand's daughters Isabella and Maria. 

2 Bv the Treaty of Tordesillas, signed 7 June, 1494. Cf. p. xv.. supra. 

3 Two ports on the Bay of Biscay not far from the French frontier. 



104 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

vuestras costas, la sesta parte de todo lo que alii ovierdes, e que 
todo lo otro sea para vos, e que esta sesta parte que asy JSTos 
ovieremos de aver, seajs obligado de la traer e trayays do quier 
que Nos estovieremos, a vuestra costa e mysyon. 

Ytem : Que Yo vos de licencia, e por la presente vos la doy 
para que los marineros que con vos fueren en el dicho viaje pue- 
dan llevar e lleven en sus caja (sic) la ropa e mercaderias que 
a vos hos paresgiere, para rescatar en la diclia Tierra ISTova, con 
tanto que al tyempo que lo cargaren, lo registren ante el escri- 
bano del dicho viaje, e que de lo que con ello rescateren e se 
oviere en qualquier manera, nos sean obligados a dar la sesta 
parte, como vos soys obligado en el capitulo de suso contenido, 
e que vos seays obligado en su nombre a lo asy complir, e que lo 
que no registraren lo ayan perdido e pierdan, e que sea para la 
nuestra camara e fisco. 

Ytem : Que trayendonos vos buena nueva de la dicha Tierra 
INova, e ballando en ella buena muestra de oro e otras cosas de 
que ISTos seamos servidos, Yo vos mandare resgibir por contino 
e criado de nuestra casa, e asentar en los libros della el acosta- 
miento que fuere razon, e a nuestro servicio convenga, e que sea 
a vuestra honra segund la nueva que vos traxeredes, para que 
vos sea pagado por todos los dias de vuestra vida. 

Ytem: Que Yo vos aya de dar, e por la presente prometo 
que vos mandare dar e dare previllejo en forma para vos e para 
vuestros herederos e subcesores para syenpre jamas, de la dogena 
parte del oro que se ballare e oviere en la dicha Tierra ISTova, 
como con la ayuda de Dios esperamos, vos mandare dar e dar6 
el dicho previllejo. 

Ytem : Que descubierta la dicha Tierra ISTova, e haziendose 
en ella poblacion en nuestro nombre, segund se ha hecho en la 
dicha ysla Espaiiola, por la presente vos prometo de hos hazer 
merced, e sy necesario es, desde agora hos la hago, del alguasy- 
ladgo mayor de la dicha Tierra ISTova para vos e para vuestros 
herederos e subcesores, 

Ytem: Que hasyendose casa de contratacion en la dicha 
Tierra Nova que asy vos descubrierdes 6 hallardes, por la pre- 
sente vos prometo de hacer merced de la tesoreria della a Juan 
Criado, para quien vos me lo suplicasteis. 

Ytem: Que hasyendose casa de la dicha fundicion en la 
dicha Tierra Nova, por la presente prometo de hazer merced del 
oficio de escovilla della a Cristobal Vasques, por quien vos me 
lo suplicasteis. 

Ytem : Que sy a la ida 6 a la venida que vos aveys de yr a 



PEECUKSORS OF CARTIER 105 

la dicha tierra, yendo derechamente a ella por los terminos e 
partes e navegacion que vos sera senalado por un memorial fir- 
mado del obispo de Palencia^, mi capellan mayor e de nuestro 
consejo, e de Lope Conchillos, nuestro secretario, e no a otra 
parte ni partes algunas, fuerdes tornado e detenido a ystancia 
de algund rey cristiano, que hasyendomelo vos saber, Yo 
sea obligado de os sacar a pas e a salvo del dicho termino e 
presyon, lo qual digo e prometo que asy guardare e cumplire sin 
falta alguna. 

Ytem : Que trayendo vos Dios a salvamento del dicho viaje, 
vos aya de dar licencia, e por la presente vos la doy, para que 
podays, al tiempo que vinierdes con la nueva de la dicha Tierra 
IsTova la primera vez, entrar e surgir en qualquier puerto de 
Galicia 6 Vizcaya do llegardes e el tiempo os traxere, con tanto 
que seals obligado al tiempo que llegardes, antes que desembar- 
queis vos ny ninguno de los que vinieren en los dichos navios de 
la dicha Tierra JSTova, ni saquen dellos cosa alguna, de note- 
ficar a la justicia del dicho puerto donde asy llegardes, como 
venis por nuestro mandado del dicho viaje, e de magnifestar 
antellos todo el oro e cosas que, plaziendo a Dios, se traxeren en 
qualquier manera, e que todo se ponga en registro por ante escri- 
bano, que la justicia del dicho lugar nombrare e senalare para 
ello. 

Ytem: Que hasyendose la casa de contratacion de la dicha 
Tierra ISTova aca en Espaiia, Yo haya de hazer merced, e por la 
presente, hasyendose la dicha casa, desde agora la hago del 
oficio de nuestro fator de la dicha casa a Ponce, nuestro cantor 
e capellan, e primo de vos, el dicho Juan de Agramonte, por 
quien vos me lo suplicastes. 

Para todo lo qual hago mi capitan a vos, el dicho Juan de 
Agramonte, de los dos navios e gente que en ellos f uere, e vos doy 
asy por la mar, como llegado a la dicha Tierra !N"ova, hasta ser 
viielto a ISTos con la nueva della, poder complido e juridigion 
civil e criminal, con todas sus yncidencias e dependencias, 
anexidades e conexidades, durante el dicho tiempo, quedando la 
apelacion de todo para ante ISTos al nuestro consejo ; e mando a 
todas las personas que en los dichos navios fueren, e a cada uno 
dellos, que como a nuestro capitan vos obedezcan e vos dexen e 
consyentan usar el dicho oficio e juridicion, civil e criminal. 

Por lo cual todo que dicho es, e cada cosa e parte dello, has- 
yendo vos, el dicho Juan de Agramonte, las diligencias suso- 
dichas eontenydas, e que para la dicha navegacion e viaje con- 

1 Fonseca. 



106 CANADIAN AEC HIVES 

viene, por la preseiite prometo de vos mandar guardar e complir 
todo lo en esta capitulacion contenido, e cada cosa e parte dello, 
e sj necesario es, por la presente mando a todos los corregidores, 
asystentes, alcaldes, alguasyles, merinos e otras justicias qiiales- 
quier de todas las gibdades e villas e lugares destos reynos e 
senorios, que vean esta dicha capitulacion, e todo lo en ella con- 
tenido, e vos la guarden e cunplan en todo e por todo, segund que 
en ella se contienen, e contra el tenor e forma della vos no vayan 
ny pasen por alguna manera, so pena de la my merced e de 
10,000 maravedis para la nuestra camara e fisco, a cada uno que 
lo contrario fisiere. Fecha en la gibdad de Burgos a viii dias 
del mes de otubre de mil e quinientos e honze anos. Yo el Rey. 
Por mandado de su alteza Lope Conchillos. Seiialada del obispo 
de Palencia. 

Suplicastesme que porque mejor el dicho asiento e concierto 
vos fuese guardado e conplido, vos mandase dar mi sobrecarta 
del, por que vos con el ayuda de Dios entendiades de nos baser 
mucbo servicio en el dicho viaje, e Yo, por hazer bien e mer- 
ced, acatando la voluntad y deseo con que vos aveys movido a 
nos servir en lo suso diclio, tobelo por bien e por la presente con- 
firmo e apruevo el diclio concierto e asyento de suso contenido, 
e vos prometo e doy mi palabra Real, que vos sera guardado e 
complido en todo e por todo, segund que en ella se contiene, 
hasiendose por vos el dicho viaje e cosas de suso declaradas, de 
la manera que con vos se asento, e no hasiendo cosa no devida, 
porque segund las leyes destos reynos debriades ser privado de 
la dicha merced, e coutra el no se vos yra ny pasara en tienpo 
algTino, ny por alguna manera; e por esta mi carta mando al 
principe don Carlos, mi muy caro e muy amado hi jo, e a los del 
mi consejo, alcaldes, alguasyles de la mi casa, corte e chan- 
celleria, e a todos los concejos,- corregidores, asystentes, alcaldes, 
alguasyles, merinos e otras justicias qualesquier de todas las 
gibdades, villas e lugares de los mis reynos e sehorios, que vos 
guarden e cunplan el dicho concierto e asiento suso contenido, 
en todo e por todo, segund que en el se contiene, e contra el no 
vos bayan, ni pasen en tienpo alguno, ni por alguna manera ; e 
los unos, ni los otros non fagades ni fagan ende al, por alguna 
manera, etc. Dada en Burgos a xxix de otubre de mill e 
quinientos e house aiios. Yo el Rey. Yo Lope Conchillos, sec- 
retario de la Reyna, nuestra sehora, la fiz escrivir por mandado 
del Rey, su padre. Obispo de Palencia concertada. 

From the Archives at Simancas, Registro general del sello, 
ociuhre, 1511: printed in part in Navarrete, Coleccion de los 



PRECUKSORS OF CARTIER 107 

viages y descuhrimientos. III, num. XXXI, 122-5, (Madrid, 
1829) ; and in the Coleccion de documentos Ineditos relaiivos 
al descuhrimiento de America, XXXI, 202-8, Madrid, 1883. 

XXXIIa. 

warrant for the agreement made with john de agra- 
monte on setting forth to discover the secret of 
newfoundland. 

Queen Joanna, etc. 

Whereas I have been informed by you, John de Agramonte, 
Catalonian, of the town of Lerida, which is in the kingdom of 
Catalonia, that the king, my lord and father, ordesed to be 
drawn up and made a certain contract and agreement with you, 
by which you were to go and should go at your own cost and 
charges to discover a certain Newfoundland within our sphere 
of influence, according as it is stated in the said agreement and 
contract, the tenour of which said agreement is as follows : 

The King. 

The agreement which at my order was made and concluded 
with you, John de Agramonte, Catalonian, born in Lerida, in 
order to go and discover the secret of the ISTewfoundland is this : 

First, that you may and do go with two vessels of the 
size that appears to you proper, provided they belong to our 
vassals and subjects, and also that the people you take with you 
be inhabitants of these kingdoms, (except that two of the 
pilots may be Bretons or belong to some other nation which 
has been there), at your own cost and charges, to the said Xew- 
foundland, along the coast or region which shall seem best to 
you and to the sailors you take with you on the said voyage, not 
touching at that part which belongs to the Most Serene King of 
Portugal, our son, and this is understood to mean those portions 
which are within the limits marked out between ourselves and 
him ; and that you are to fit out and provision the said ships for 
the said voyage at your own cost and charges ; and in order to fit 
them out and load them, I give you licence so to do in the ports 
of Laredo and Santander or in either of them ; and in order that 
you be not impeded in this, I give you by these presents an 
order for the town-councils and authorities of the said towns 
and ports to permit and allow you to do this; on which said 
voyage you are to set sail as early and in the best state you can. 

Likewise, that I am to and do give you licence, and by these 
presents give it to you, to buy and load in the said vessels every- 



108 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

tiling necessary for the fitting out of the said ships, and any 
wares necessary for bartering in the said Newfoundland, with- 
out paying any of the dues collectible by us on the said goods, 
taking an oath before the authorities that you will indeed make 
the said voyage. 

Likewise, that whereas you have to go to Britanny for the 
pilots who are to accompany you on the said voyage, and desire 
to provide yourself there with wines and flour and meat, and to 
bring them to the said port of Laredo or Santander, I am to and 
do give you licence and authority, that on arriving with the said 
ships and flour and meat, you do not pay the dues collectible by 
us, nor are you to be made to unload these goods, any custom or 
decrees to the contrary notwithstanding; for all which the 
necessary authority has been given to you. 

Likewise, that you are to and do give us, after your costs 
have been deducted, the sixth part of all you may barter or 
obtain in any manner whatsoever on the said voyage ; and that 
all the remainder be yours ; and that you are to bring this sixth 
part, which we are thus to have, and do bring it to us wherever 
we may be, at your own cost and charges. 

Likewise, that I am to give permission and by these pre- 
sents do give it to you, that the sailors who may go with you 
on the said voyage be allowed to carry and do carry in their 
chests the cloth and merchandise that may seem proper to you 
to barter in the said ISTewfoundland, with the understanding 
that at the time they put it on board, they register it before the 
notary of the said expedition ; and that of whatever they barter 
or obtain with the same, in any manner whatsoever, they give us 
the sixth part, as you are obliged in the paragraph above 
to do; and that you are under obligation to carry this out in 
their name ; and that whatever is not registered be lost, and they 
lose it, and it be given to our exchequer and treasury. 

Likewise, that should you bring us a favourable -report of 
the said [N'ewfoundland, and find there good samples of gold and 
other things of use to us, I shall order you to be received as 
Contino^ and servant of our house, the salary which is just and 
proper for our service and which will be to your honour accord- 
ing to the information you may bring us, being entered upon 
the books of the same, in order that you. may receive payment 
thereof all the days of your life. 

Likewise, that I am to give you and by these presents pro- 

;'l One of the hundred yeomen formerly appointed to guard the 
king's person and palace. 



PKECUKSOKS OF CARTIER 109 

mise that I shall order you to be given and will give you a grant 
in due form for yourself and your heirs and successors for ever 
of the twelfth part of the gold that may be found and collected 
in the said Newfoundland, as with God's help we hope I shall 
order you to be given and will give you the said grant. 

Likewise, that after the said ISTewfoundland shall have been 
explored, should a colony be sent there in our name, as has been 
done in the said island of Hispaniola [Hayti], I promise by 
these presents to grant you, and if it be necessary henceforth 
grant you the office of chief constable in the said JSTewfoundland, 
for you and for your heirs and successors. 

Likewise, that should a trading factory be set up in the said 
Newfoundland, which you are thus to explore and discover, T 
promise you by these presents to grant the office of treasurer of 
the same to John Criado, for whom you have asked it of me. 

Likewise, that should a smelting foundry be set up in the 
said Newfoundland, I promise by these presents to grant the 
office of sweeper in the same to Christopher Vasques, for whom 
you have asked it of me. 

Likewise, that in case on the way to or from the said land, 
going there direct by the route, track and course that will be 
shown to you in a document signed by the bishop of Palencia, 
my chief chaplain and one of the members of our council, and 
by Lope Conchillos, our secretary, and not making your way to 
any other place or places whatever, you should be seized and 
detained at the instance of any Christian king, should you in- 
form me of this, I am under obligation to free you effectually 
and without injury from the said place and prison, which I 
declare and promise I shall fulfil and carry out without fail. 

Likewise, that should God bring you back safe from the said 
voyage, I am to give you licence, and by these presents give it 
to you, that you may, on arriving the first time with news from 
the said Newfoundland, enter and cast anchor in any port what- 
soever of Galicia or Biscay where you may arrive and the weath- 
er carry you, on condition that on your arrival, before you or 
any one of those who have come in the said ships from the said 
Newfoundland disembarks, or they unload anything from the 
ships, you notify the authorities of the said port where 
you thus arrive, how you come from the said voyage by our 
order ; and you are to declare before them all the gold and goods 
which, God willing, shall in any manner be brought back ; and 
that all be entered in a register before the notary whom the 



110 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

authorities of the said port shall appoint and nominate for that 
purpose. 

Likewise, that should a trading factory for the said New- 
foundland be set up here in Spain, I am to appoint and by these 
presents, if the said factory be set up, henceforth do appoint 
Ponce, our chorister and chaplain, Factor of the said factory, 
who is your, John de Agramonte's, cousin, for whom you asked 
it of me. 

For all which I appoint you, the said John de Agramonte, 
captain of my two ships and of the people in them, and grant 
you, as well at sea as on your arrival in the said Newfoundland, 
until your return with news of the same, high justice and civil 
and criminal jurisdiction, with all its incidents and dependen- 
ces, annexed and connexed, during the said period, with appeal 
in every case before us in our Council; and I order all the 
people on board the said vessels and each of them to obey you 
as our captain, and to allow and permit you to exercise the said 
office, and civil and criminal jurisdiction. 

In regard to all the above and to each part and parcel 
thereof, should you the said John de Agramonte perforin all 
thte duties therein set forth, and those which are proper to the 
said navigation and voyage, by these presents I promise to give 
orders that all contained in this grant and each part and par- 
cel thereof be carried out and fulfilled, and if it be necessary, 
by these j^resents do give orders to all magistrates, chief justices, 
mayors, constables, superintendents and other authorities what- 
soever of all the cities and to\vns and places of these kingdoms 
and dominions, that they read this said grant and all set forth 
in the same, and carry out and fulfil it for you absolutely, 
according to its contents, and do not proceed nor depart from 
the tenour and form thereof in any way in your case on 
pain [of the loss] of my favour and of 10,000 maravedis for 
our exchequer and treasury from each who shall do the con- 
trary. Given in the city of Burgos on 8 October, 1511. I the 
King. By order of His Highness Lope Conchillos. Signed by 
the bishop of Palencia. 

You have entreated me in order that the said agreement and 
contract be the better fulfilled and carried out, to give you my 
warrant for the same, since, with God's aid, it is 3^our design to 
do us much service on this said voyage, and I, in order to show 
you goodwill and favour, in acknowledgement of the wish and 
desire by which you have been moved to serve us in the above, 
have deigned to order and by these presents confirm and approve 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 111 

the said contract and agreement set forth above, and promise 
yon and give you my royal word, that it shall be fulfilled and 
executed for you absolutely according to its tenour, you car- 
rying out the said voyage and the things set forth above in the 
manner agreed upon, and not doing anything wrong for which 
by the laws of these kingdoms you should be deprived of the said 
favour ; and nothing will be done to you or enacted against it 
at any time nor in any way ; and by these letters of mine I com- 
mand the Prince Don Carlos^, my very dear and much beloved 
son, and the members of my Council, the mayors, constables 
of my house, court and chancery and all the councils, 
magistrates, chief -justices, mayors, constables, superintendents 
and other authorities whatsoever of all the cities, to^vns and 
places of my kingdom and dominions, to fulfil and execute 
for you the said contract and agreement set forth above 
absolutely, according to its tenour, and not to move nor pro- 
ceed against it at any time or in any way; and neither 
ycu, nor they are to do the contrary of what is desired 
in any way, etc. Given in Burgos on 29 October, 1511. I the 
King. I, Lope Conchillos, secretary of the Queen, our lady, had 
this written out by order of the king, her father. Agreed to by 
the bishop of Palencia. 

XXXIII. 

29 (?) October, 1511. 

LETTERS PATENT FROM QUEEN JOANNA CONFIRMING THE 

APPOINTMENT OF AGRAMONTE AS CAPTAIN OF THE 

EXPEDITION. 

De Oficio, Ott° XI. 
Dona Juana, etc. 

For quanto en cierto asyento e concierto que por mandado 
del liey, my Seilor e padre, e myo, se tomo con vos, Juan 
de Agramonte, Catalan, natural de Lerida, para que vos 
ayais de yr, e vays con los navios e con la gente que vos 
paresgiere, a vuestra costa e mysyon, a descobrir e hallar 
una tierra que se llama Terranova, por la via e derrota que vos 
sera senalado por my mandado por un memorial, firmado del 
obispo de Palengia, mi capellan mayor e del mi consejo, e por 
Lope Conchillos, mi secretario e del mi consejo ; e en la dicha 
capitulacion e asyento que ansy con vos se dio, esta asentado que 

1 Afterwards Charles V. 



132 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

vos ayais de ser e seays nuestro capitan de la dicha gente, ansy 
por mar, como por la tierra que vos alii descubrierdes, e fasta 
ser vuelto con la niieva de lo que ansi f allardes e descubrierdes ; 
per ende compliendo lo que ansy con vos fue asentado, y entend- 
iendo ser ansy complidero al servicio de Dios, nuestro Senor, 
e a la execucion de nuestra justigia, e a lo que conviene para el 
diclio viaje, es mi merced e voluntad, por la parte que a my sy 
toca, que vos, el dicho Juan de Agramonte, tengays por nos la 
capitania, ansy por mar como por tierra, de la gente que fuere 
con vos el dicho viaje, fasta ser vuelto e desembarcado con la 
nueva de lo que en la dicha Tierranova f allardes, e que como tal 
capitan podays usar e useys por vos e vuestros lugartenyentes 
el dicho oficio, segund e de la forma e manera que se contiene en 
un capitulo de la dicha capitulacion que con vos se asento sobre 
lo susodicho, su tenor del cual es este que se sygue^ : 

E por esta my carta 6 por su treslado, sygnado de escribano 
publico, mando a todas e qualesquier personas que en los dichos 
dos navios que vos ansi llevardes, fueren, e en la dicha Tierra- 
nova asentaren e estovyeren, fasta ser vos vuelto e desembarcado 
con la dicha nueva, que vos ayan e tengan por nuestro capitan 
de todo ello, e vos obedezcan e dexen e consyentan usar e exercer 
el dicho oficio, y executar la nuestra justigia, ansy en la mar 
como en la tierra, todo el dicho tiempo, por vos 6 por vuestros 
lugartenientes ; e podays oyr e librar e determinar, e oyays e 
libres e determines todos los pleitos e caubsas, ansy civiles como 
cremynales, que en la dicha mar e tierra se movieren durante el 
dicho tiempo ; e podays llevar e lleveys vos e los dichos vuestros 
lugartenyentes, los derechos e salaries al dicho oficio anexos e 
pertenesgientes, segund e por la forma e manera que fasta aqui 
se ha llevado e lleva por los otros nuestros capitanes que ban 
ydo a seme j antes cosas, e que como tal capitan podays fazer e 
fagays qualesquier pesquisas en los cases de derecho permisas, e 
todas las otras cosas al dicho oficio pertenecientes, e que vos 
entendays que a nuestro servicio e a la execugion de la nuestra 
justicia e al bien del dicho viaje cumple ; e que para usar e 
exercer el dicho oficio, e complir e executar la nuestra justicia, 
todos se conform en con vos e vos den e fagan dar todo el favor 
e ayuda que les pidierdes e menester ovierdes, conforme al dicho 
capitulo que de suso va encorporado, e que en ello, ny en parte 
dello, embargo ny contrario alguno vos non pongan, nin consyen- 
tan poner, ca Yo por la presente vos recibo e he por recibido al 
dicho ofigio de nuestro capitan, e al uso e exercicio del, e vos doy 

1 Omitted in the MS. 



PRECUKSOKS OF CARTIER 113 

poder complido para lo usar y exercer, e complir e executar la 
niiestra jiisticia, ansy por mar como por tierra por el dicho 
tiempo, en la forma suso dicha, con todas sus yncidencias e 
dependencias, anexidades e conexidades, con tanto que vos ni las 
otras personas que con vos f ueren, ny ninguno dellos, podays nin 
puedan rescatar cosa alguna, syno por antel nuestro escribano 
del dicho viaje, so pena de lo aver perdido lo que por el tal 
rescate jse oviere, e sea para nuestra camara e fisco; e ansy 
mismo por esta my carta mando al my almirante mayor do la 
mar, e a todos los otros capitanes que andan 6 anduvieren en 
ella, e a todos los congejos, justicias, regidores, caballeros, escu- 
deros, oficiales e omes buenos de todas las ciudades e villas e 
lugares e puertos e abras de la mar, donde vos fuerdes, apor- 
tardes con la dicha gente e navios, que vos ayan e tengan por 
nuestro capitan della, e vos dexen e consientan usar el diclio 
oficio, segund e como dicho es, e que en ello nin en cosa alguna, 
ni en parte dello embargo nin ympedimento algimo vos non 
pongan, nin consyentan poner, e los unos nin los otros, etc. 

From the Archives at Simancas, Registro general del sello, 
octuhre 1511; printed in ISTavarrete, op. cit., Ill, num. 
XXXII, 125-7 ; and in the Coleccion de Documentos ineditos 
relativos al descubrimiento , etc., XXXIX, 208-11. 

XXXIIIa. 

Queen Joanna, etc. 

Whereas in a certain agreement and contract Avhich by order 
of the king, my lord and father, and by my own, was made with 
you, John de Agramonte, Catalonian, born in Lerida, by which 
you are to go and should go with the ships .and men that to you 
seem proper, at your own cost and charges, to discover and 
find a land called Newfoundland, by the route and course which 
will be disclosed to you at my order in a document signed by 
the bishop of Palencia, my chief chaplain anjd one of the mem- 
bers of my council, and by Lope Conchillos, my secretary and 
one of my council ; and in the said stipulation and agreement 
thus made with you, it is agreed that you shall be and are our 
captain over the said people, as well by sea as on the land that 
you discover there, and until you return with news of what you 
have found and discovered ; wherefore in fulfilment of that 
which was agreed upon with you, and desiring to be helpful to 
the service of God, our Lord, and to the execution of our justice, 
and to all that pertains to the said voyage, it is my pleasure 

4473—8 



114 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

and will, in so far as concerns myself, that you, the said John de 
Agramonte, hold the captainship for us, as well by sea as on 
land, over the persons who may go with you on the said voyage, 
until your return and disembarkation with the news of what 
you find in the said J^ewfoundland, and that as such cap- 
lain you may and do exercise by yourself and through your 
lieutenants the said office, according and in the form and man- 
ner which is contained in an article of the said contract which 
was agreed upon with you in regard to the above, the tenour of 
which is as, follows^ : 

And by these my letters or by a copy of the same, signed 
by a notary public, I command all and whatsoever persons you 
thus take with you in the said two vessels, who may go and settle 
in the said ISTewfoundland, and who may be there until your 
return and disembarkation with the said news, to hold and con- 
sider you as our captain over all, and to obey you and to allow 
and permit you to fill an^d exercise the said office, and by your- 
self or your lieutenants to execute justice for us as well by sea as 
on land for the whole of the said period ; and that you may hear 
and despatch and determine, and do hear and despatch and deter- 
mine all the lawsuits and cases, as well civil as criminal, which 
may arise on the said sea or land during the said period ; and 
that you and your said lieutenants may and do exact the fees and 
salaries annexed and belonging to the said office, according to 
and in the form and manner in which they have hitherto been 
exacted and are exacted by our other captains who have gone on 
similar expeditions ; and that as such captain you may and do 
hold all kinds of investigations permitted in law-cases, and per- 
form all other things belonging to the said office, and which in 
your opinion are fitting for our service, and for the execution of 
our j iistice and for the welfare of the said voyage ; and that in 
order to fill and exercise the said office and carry out and exer- 
cise our justice, all submit to you, and give and cause you to be 
given all the favour and aid you may ask them and may need, 
according to the said article set forth above, and that they 
neither place nor allow to be placed any hindrance or impedi- 
ment in this or in any part thereof; because I by these presents 
receive and have received you into the said office of our captain 
and into the employment and exercise of the same, and give you 
full power to use and exercise it and to administer and execute 
our justice, as well by sea as on land during thvj said period, in 
the form aforesaid, with all its incidents and dependences, 

1 This article is omitted in the original. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 115 

annexed and connexed, on condition that neither you nor the 
other persons with you, nor any one of them barters anything 
except in the presence of our notary for the said expedition, on 
pain of the loss of whatever be obtained by such barter, which 
will be handed over to our exchequer and treasury ; and likewise 
by these my letters I command my first admiral of the sea and 
all the captains that sail or may sail on the same, and all the 
councils, authorities, prefects, noblemen, esquires, clerks and 
good men of all the cities and towns and places and ports and 
harbours of the sea where you may go and land with the said 
people and ships, to hold and consider you as our captain of 
the same, and to permit and allow you to exercise the said office 
in the form and manner stated ; and that neither in this nor in 
anything or any part thereof, they place or allow to be 
placed any hindrance or impediment; and neither the one nor 
the other, etc. 

XXXIV. 

13 September, 1512. 

SEBASTIAN CABOT CONSULTED ABOUT NEWFOUNDLAND. 

El Key — Sebastian Caboto. Ya sabeis como el Reverendo in 
Christo'Padre Obispo de Palencia, my capellan mayor e del my 
Consejo, e Lope Conchillos, my secretario e del my Consejo, vos 
hablaron de my parte en la ciudad de Burgos ciertas cosas 
sobre la navegacion de las Indias e Isla de los Bacallaos, e 
quedo entre vos e ellos que, escribiendo yo a mylor de Ulivi, 
vuestro capitan, que os dejase venir a my corte, que luego 
verniades: agora yo le escribo rogandole que os deje venir, 
como por la cedula que para ello le envio vereis : por ende, yo 
vos ruego y encargo que luego, en dandovos la dicha licencia el 
dicho mylor de Ulivi, os vengais doquier que yo estoviere, 
porque, venido, se entendera en lo que conviene sobre lo que los 
dichos Obispo de Palencia e Secretario Conchillos vos hablaron, 
y en esto no pongais dilacion, que en ello me servireis. — De 
Logrono, a trece dias del mes de Septiembre de quinientos e 
doce anos — Yo El Rey. — Por mandado de Su Alteza — Lope 
Conchillos. — Senalada del Obispo de Palencia. 

From the Archivo de Indias at Seville, est. 139, caj. 1, leg. 
5, libro IV, fol. 19^: printed in J. T. Medina, El veneciano 
Sebastian Cahoto al servicio de Espana, etc., tomo 1, pp. 2-3. 
Santiago de Chile, 1908. Cf. Harrisse, Jean et Sehastien 
Cahot, 331-2. 

4473— 8i 



116 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 



XXXIVa. 



The King^: Sebastian Cabot. You are already aware how 
the Rev. father in Christ, the bishop of Palencia [Fonseca], 
my chief chaplain and one of my Council, and Lope Con- 
chillos, my secretary and one of my council, spoke to you on 
my behalf in the city of Burgos in regard to the navigation to 
the Indies and island of the Codfish, and it was agreed between 
you and them that on my writing to Lord Willoughby [de 
Broke], your captain, to allow you to come to court, you would 
come at once. I am now writing to him as you will see by the 
enclosed paper,^ asking him to allow you to come. Wherefore I 
beg and charge you that, on Lord Willoughby giving you the 
said permission, you come wherever I may be, in order that on 
your coming a proper agreement may be drawn up in regard to 
the matters whereof the said bishop of Palencia and Secretary 
Conchillos spoke to you ; and do not delay, for in this you will 
do me a service. From Logroiio, 13 September 1512. I the 
King. By order of His Highness, Lope Conchillos. Counter- 
signed by the bishop of Palencia. 

XXXV. 

January 1513. 

PARDON TO THE MATE OF A NEWFOUNDLAND FISHING-VESSEL. 

Loys, etc. a touz presens et advenir, savoir faisons, nous avoir 
receue I'humble supplicacion et requeste des parens et amys de 
nostre poure subgect Guillaume Dobel, filz Jehan Dobel, de la 
parroisse de Pleneut^ en I'evesche de Sainct-Brieuc, contenant 
que comme ainsi soit, que a ung jour de lundy au moys de sep- 
tembre, I'an mil cinq cens dix, Guillaume de Bre jehan (?) Ber- 
tran Menyer, Mathelin Picart, IST. Dobel, Holland Le Eoux, 
Gilles Regnault, Allain Hercouet, Lorans Balaine, Anthoine 
Thomas et ung nomme Pierres Riou, autrement appelle 
Ricaffan, Guillaume Avoue, bastard, Allain Helliguen, sieur de 
Mauny, Guillaume Garroche et ledit Guillaume Dobel fussent 
en ung navire du havre de Daouet*, appelle la Jacquette, dudit 
havre, duquel navire ledit Bertram Menyer estoit maistre apres 
Dieu, et ledit Guillaume Dobel contremaistre, partirent le 
matin d'yceluy jour audit navire du havre de Sainct Aulbin de 

1 Ferdinand of Aragon. 

2 Cf. Medina, op. cit. I., 4, where this document has been printed. 
' Now Pl^neuf, in the Department of the C6tea-du-Nord. 

* Dahouet, a small port near Pl^neuf- 



PRECUESORS OF CAETIER 117 

Quillebeiif en la ripviere de Senne, venans cle la ville de Rouan, 
ou lesdits nommez avoint vendu du poysson qu'ilz avoint este 
querir et pesdier es parties de la Terre-JSTeiisfve. Et comme ilz 
furent desplacez et esloignez dudit havre de Sainct-Aulbin, en- 
viron une lieue et demye, ayante la voille au vent, tirans leur 
route pour s'en venir descendre audit havre de Daouet, ledit 
Mathelin Picart dist qu'il convenoit ranger la boueste. Sur- 
quoy ledit Guillaume Dobel, quel a lors avoit la charge de gou- 
verner et conduyre ledit navire, dist que ledit navire avoit trop 
de treff, et que ledit Picart n'estoit que un diot. Et comme 
ledit Guillaume Garroche, qui lors gouvernoit ledit navire o le 
heaulme et gouvernail d'yceluy navire, commancza a parler du 
mareaige dudit navire, ledit Guillaume Dobel luy dist, qu'il 
n'estoit pas pour en parler et qu'il n'estoit que ung veau. Et sur 
celles parrolles et que ledit Garroche laissa ledit gouvernail et 
entra sur le tillac, ou derriere d'yceluy navire, disant par telles 
parrolles ou semblables : " En effet le tout est jeu que de f rap- 
per " , ledit Guillaume Dobel lui donna ung coup de sa main sur 
le vissaige, et par en pres, voyant que ledit Garroche murmuroit 
centre luy, et qu'il avoit abandonne ledit gouvernail dudit na- 
vire, ce luy Guillaume Dobel tira ung pongnat et courte dague, 
qu'il avoit a son coste, et commencza a marcher vers ledit Gar- 
roche. Quel Garroche euydant obvier audit Dobel, s'en partit a 
grant haste dudit lieu ou il estoit, et yssit par le dehors dudit 
navire, se tenant o les mains au bort dudit navire. Et lors ledit 
Dobel, estant au dedans dudit navire, pourchassant celuy Gar- 
roche, ayant sadite dague mise en sa main, ledit Garroche euy- 
dant tousjours obvier et se garantir dudit Dobel, lascha les mains 
dudit [bord?]^, chemynant vers le derriere dudit navire, de 
sorte qu'il tomba et cheut en la mer. Et tout incontinant I'un 
desdits mariniers, qui lors descendoit de la hmie dudit navire, 
commencza a crier a haulte voicz par telles parrolles : " Saujfve 
lliomme " , en parlant dudit Garroche. Et a celle heure ledit 
Guillaume Dobel sortit ou petit bateau dudit navire, quel estoit 
amarre au-bout d'yceluy navire, couppa une corde, appellee la 
bousse, laquelle ledit iDateau estoit amarre, et luy et ledit Ber- 
tran Menyer et Lorans Belyane, queulx pareillement sortirent 
audit bateau, nagerent ledit bateau a grant dylligence droict 
audit Garroche, qui nageoit sur I'eau, euydant le recouvrer et 
sauffver ; ce que ne peurent f aire. Et fut ledit Garroche noye 
et convert tout incontinant en la mer. Et ce voyant ledit Guil- 
laume Dobel, et qu'il avoit este cause de la mort dudit Garroche, 

1 Now Saint-Aubin sur Quillebeuf, a suburb of Quillebeuf at the 
mouth of the Seine. 

2 There is a blank here in the MS. 



118 CANADIAN" ARCHIVES 

de conrreux et desplaisir qu'il en eut, dist en luy mesme, qu'il ne 
retourneroit point audit navire, nagea ledit bateau droiet a 
terre, et sortit liors dudit bateau, et dist adieu audits nommez. 
Et craignant estre accuse et aprehende de justice dudit cas, n'a 
dempuy ose ledit Dobel s'en venir, ne se tenir audit pays. 

Remanstrant oultre, que ledit Guillaume Dobel est jeune 
homme soubz I'eaisge de trente-deux ans, I'un des bons mariniers 
de ce pays et duche, et homme pour servir a la chose publicque, 
tant ou faict de la guerre que autrement, de bon rest et honneste 
gouvernement, et lequel, auparavant ledit cas, n'avoit jamays eu 
liaygne, ne consceu inimitie avecques ledit Garroche, mays par 
cas de fortune estoit ledit cas advenu, et que puis I'an avoit este 
par lesdits parrens et amys dudit Dobel faict aj)poinctement o 
la veuffve dudit Garroche, en son nom et tutrice de son filz en 
elle procree par ledit deffunct Garroche, son mary, et luy faict 
satisfacion pour son droiet et interest, et en obtenu quictance 
par decret de court et consentement desdits parens et amys 
dudit deffunct; nous suppliant qu'il nous plaise de notre grace 
et auctorite royalle lui impartir noz graces, remission et pardon 
dudit cas, tres humblement, le nous requerant. Pourquoy etc., 
pourvu qu'il, en personne, presentera cestes presentes lettres de 
grace aux prochains ou seconds generaux plectz de notre court 
et barre, de par devant celuy de noz juges qui les expedira, notre 
procureur dudit lieu et parties complaignantes, s'aucunes sont, 
pour faire verificacion de ce que dessus. Donne a Vennes, ou 
moys de Janvier, I'an de grace mil cinq cens doze, et de nostre 
regne le quinzieme. Ainsi signe sur le replict ; visa, par le Roy, 
et a la relacion de son conseil, Leleureux. 

From the Archives du departement de la Loire-Inferieure 
at ITantes, serie OM. B. 21, fols. 15-6, Avhence the above copy 
was kindly taken by M. L. Maitre, the archivist of the Depart- 
ment. This document was first published by the late M. A. de 
La Borderie in his Melanges dliistoire et d'archeologie hreton- 
nes, II, 153-6, Rennes gt Paris, 1858. Of. also Annales de Bre- 
tagne, IX, 435-7, Rennes, 1894. 

XXXVI. 

14-17 December, 1514. 

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MONKS OF THE ABBEY OF BEATT- 

PORT AND THE INHABITANTS OF THE ISLAND OF BEEHAT , 

WHEREIN MENTION IS MADE OF NEWFOUNDLAND COD. 

Transaction entre I'abbe et convent de Beauport d'une part, 
et les habitants de I'isle de Brehat d' autre, par laquelle lesdicts 
1 An island ofi the French coast near Paimpol. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 119 

habitans, pour demeurer qiiittes de 18 deniers monoie qu'ils 
paioint par an pour droit de dixme de poesson par chaque habi- 
tant audessus de 18 ans se meslant de pesche, et 9 deniers mon- 
noie par cbaquun audessous dudict age, s'obligent de faire au- 
dict abbe et convent assiette de 100 soubz, monnoie de rente, aux 
paroisses de Plounez, Plouezec, Keriti ou Plouballanec, 1514. 
(Laquelle assiette fut faitte a I'abbaie de Beauport par acte de 
I'annee 1521 sur fond des pieces de terres de Goazriou en la 
paroisse de Plouezec\ faisans les herittages de I'art. 3 du bail- 
lage en Plouezec).^ 

Sur Taction [et different qui]^ estoit [men et en espoir de] 
grandement mover et enssuir, tant par la court de monsieur le 
dean de Doul a Penpoul que aultreraent, entre reverand pere 
en Dieu, Jehan, ab [be de I'abbaye ISTostre] Dame de Beauport 
et le couvant dudict lieu, d'une part, et les parossiens desmor- 
antz et habitans en Fisle de Brehat d'aultre partie, sur et en co 
que lesdicts abbe et couvant et chacun avoint diet et proposse 
ou entendoint [dire] et proposser a I'ancontre desdicts habittans 
en ladicte ysle de Behat (sic), que touz et cliecun les homes 
malles de ladicte ysle qui eussent excedez I'asgre de dix ouyct 
ans et qui peschassent en la mer o rays, ajms ou aultres engins a 
prandre poesson, de quel que sorte de poesson que ce fuct, tant 
congres, morues, merlux que aultres poessons, en quelque part 
que ce soipt, tant en la coste de Betaigne (sic), la Terre-Keuffve, 
Islandre, que ailleurs, debvoint et estoint subgectz poyer et faire 
avoir ausdicts abbe et couvant de Beauport, leurs rescepveurs, 
commis et depputtez, pour debvoir de desme de leur poesson et 
pescherie, dix ouyct deniers monnoie; et ceulx soubz I'aisgue 
desdicts dix ouyct ans, neuff deniers monnoie, par checun an, a 
checun jour et terme de monsieur sainct Michel Montegargan, 
et queque soipt une f oays I'an ; quel debvoir de desme de poes- 
son avoint lesdicts desmourantz en ladicte ysle de Brehat, et 
leurs predecesseurs de paravant eulx, faict possession de poyer 
par an, deux, troys, quatre, cincq, dix, vingt, trante, quarante, 
cmcquante, sexante ans, et dedans approuver a suffire, et queque 
soipt par tant de tamps que valloit pour possession maintenir et 
garder en I'advenir ; et ce estre vroy et notaire, et lesdicts habit- 
tans en avoir este cognoissans et confessans approuver a suffire, 
dont en avoint lesdicts abbe et couvant quis et demande, ou en- 
tendoint querre et demander respons desdicts faictz envers les- 

1 A village near Saint-Brieuc, department of the C6tes~du-Nord. 

2 The title is written in a seventeenth centiiry hand, while the words 
enclosed in round briackeits are in an eighteenth century hand. 

3 The words within the square brackets are supplied -conjecturally 
where the MS. is damaged. 



120 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

diets desmourantz en ladicte ysle et checmi, concluantz ou en- 
tendoint conclure leurs diets cogneuz ou prouvez, affin qu'ilz fus- 
sent et soipnt condampnez, contraintz et eompelles poyer et con- 
tinuer le temps f iitiir, cliecim d'eulx respeetivement, lesdiets dix 
ouyet et neuff deniers monnoie, cheeun an, pour lediet debvoir 
xie desme, eomme diet est, sauff droit des levees, despans, misses 

et interestz ; lesquieulx desmourantz en ladicte ysle ^ 

entendoint protester d'impertinencze desdiets faictz et d'alleger 
leurs peremtoeres et deffanses, et au parenssus desdire avoir 

f aiet auleune possession de poyer , ne ee estre notaire, et 

ne ilz en avoir este cognoissans vers lesdiets abbe et couvant, et 
du parenssus dire n'en sgavoir rien. 

Sur desbat de quoy, pouroint tourner sur grande [contan- 
cion], proees et plederies, a leur grand prejudieze, soinpt et 
domaige ; et pour y obvier et meptre fin, pays, amour, et union 
entreulx nourir en I'advenir a eause de ee, saichent tons, que 
par nostre court du ressort de Goellou, et auxi par celle 
de PenpouP en Goellou, et par checune et I'line 
Fexecucion de I'une ne impeschante I'autre, ains pour- 
ont coneurre ensembles, et checune pour soy, ont este 
presentz en droit davant nous, et personnellement estab- 
liz lesdiets reverand pere en Dieu Jelian, abbe de 
ladicte abbaye et le couvant dudict lieu, sgavoir est: maistre 
Vincent Du Rochier, prieur de ladicte abbaye, fraire Jehan 
Huect, soubz prieur, fraire Almaury de La Cuisine, ballif, 
fraire Henry Gervaisse, fraire Bertram Brousse, Jacques Gue- 
zou, Holland Saoulect, Phelippes Le Griequer et plusseurs aul- 
tres religieux de ladicte abbaye, eongregez ensembles a son de 
campane en cbapittre, en leur maniere acoustumee, pour trecter 
et disposser de leurs negoces et affaires, auquel couvant a sa 
requeste lediet reverand pere en Dieu a donne et donne auc- 
torite et pouer quant a tout le contenu en cestes et qui enssuyct, 
faire greer, fournir et tenir, d'une part; et IN'icolas Martin, 
Eolland Le Paige, aultrement Huon, Laurens Meryen, Holland 
Le Brigant, Jehan Bourssoul et cheeun, de I'isle de Brehat, tant 
en leurs noms que comme procureurs o pouer espres de et pour 
les aultres desmorantz en ladicte ysle, quant et affin de trans- 

siger et appointer touchant ladicte eause et mattiere 

o et aveseque lesdiets abbe et couvant, ainsi et de la fourme que 
si les habitans et desmourantz en ladicte ysle eussent este pre- 
sentz en personnes, et eussent pen faire et aultrement, sellon au 
dessir de I'acte de procuration presentement aparue, dabtee du 

1 The MS. is illegible where dots are inserted. 
■ Paimpol. 



PEECUESOES OF CAKTIEE 121 

dixiesme jour de decembre, present moays, passee de Jehan Du 
Vieuchastel et Eolland Bocher, notaires soubzcriptz, et scellee ; 
et d'abondant lesdiets procureurs sur nommez desdicts habi- 
tantz, et checun en leurs prives noms, trouveront les aultres par- 
rossiens, demourantz et habitantz en ladicte ysle, dedans quinze 
jours proucbains venantz, a ratiffier et avoir agreable cest ap- 
poincte et quy enssuyct, a la paine de vingt escuz d'or ; quelle 
ratiffication vauldra en absance comme en presence desdicts abbe 
et convent, d'aultre part ; se submectantz et se submectent d'une 
part et d'aultre, o touz et checun leurs biens et par leurs 
sermentz, aux destroict, juridicion, seigneurie et oboissance de 
nostres dictes courtz et checune, quelles ont prorogues et proro- 
gent sur eulx et leursdicts biens, quant audict contenu en cestes 
et qui enssuyct, faire greer, fournir, tenir et acomplir. Et ce 
faict, ont lesdictes parties et checune respectivement, siir les 
chosses et mattieres dessus presuppossees, leurs secquelles et 
deppandances, transsige, paciffie, pacte, appoincte et accorde, et 
par cestes presentes transsigent, appointent, pactent, paciffient 
et accordent par forme, que pour lesdiets Nicolas Martin, Rol- 
land Huon, Laurens Meryen, Jouhan Bourssoul, Holland Le 
Brigant, et checun et esdicts noms, estre et demorer quictes, eulx, 
leurs hers et sucesseurs, a james, en vers lesdiets abbe et couvant 
de Beauport dudict debvoir de desme de poesson, et ilz et checun 
en esitre franc et exans a pescher en la mer, la part la ou ils vou- 
ront et bon leur semblera, tant congres, morues, merlux que toutz 
aultres manieres de poessons, sans en poyer aulcune chosse aus- 
dicts abbe et couvant pour ledict debvoir de desme, ne pour aul- 
tre debvoir, a cause de la pescherie qu'ilz y feront et faczent 
faire ; ont lesdiets sur nommez et esdicts noms promis et se sont 
obliges, sur I'obligacion de touz et checun leurs biens, meubles 
et immeubles, presentz et f ucteurs, et par leurs sermentz, bailler, 
libvrer et assoair, bailleront, libveront et assoeront en fons de 
heritaige, en bon lieu et valable, la ou le seillon d'assiepte vaul- 
dra pour le moins ^ deniers, monnoie d'assiepte, aus- 

dicts abbe et couvant acceptantz, nuUy contredissant, la somme 
et numbre de cent soubz, monnoie de rente de levee, sans desche, 
dedans six ans prouchains venantz, en I'une ou checune des par- 
roesses de Ploezec, Keriti, Ploenez ou Ploeballannec a esgart de 
prisageur ou prisageurs que choessiront entreulx agreablement. 
et, au desport de ce, faire poyer la levee par main ausdicts abbe 
et couvant, checun an, a checun jour et feste de monsieur sainct 
Michel Montegargan, a comanczer le premier poyement a la 
Saint Michel prouchaine venante, quelle levee, pendant faire 

1 There is a blank here in the MS. 



122 



CANADIAN AEC HIVES 



ladicte assiepte, poyeront lesdicts Mcolas Martin, Kolland 
Huon, Laurens Meryen, Jehan Bourssoul et Rollan'd Le Brigant 
en leurs privez noms, sans que lesdicts abbe et coiivant soibnt 
subgectz en faire action ne demande vers nulz aultres que vers 
eulx d'icelle levee. Auxi est diet, divisse et condicionne entreulx, 
que lesdicts reverand pere en Dieu et sondict convent ne seront 
subgict prandre en leur assiepte piecze de terre quelle ne vaille 
aulmoains troys boesseaulx froment de rente de levee, a la mes- 
sure de Goellou, sy plus ne vault. Et par tant fournissant ce 
que dessus est diet de la part desdicts Martin, Brigant, Huon, 
Meryen et Bourssoul et esdicts noms, sont et desmeurent quictes 
les ungntz vers les aultres desdictes parties, et checune respec- 
tivement, a cause de ce que dessus est suppose, en principal, 
levees, misses et interestz, tant du desmaigne de la cause que 
aultrement, generalement et entierement. 

Quelles chosses et checune dessus dictes, lesdicts nommez et 
checun pour ce que lui touche ont voullu, promis et jure par 
leurs sermentz, et sur I'obligacion de tous et cbecun leurs biens, 
presentz et advenir, tant meubles que heritaiges, ainsi tenir, 
fournir et acomplir, sans james encontre venir, et sans terme de 
parlier, jour, juge, exoine, plegement querre, avoir ne demander. 
A quoy et a toutes aultres dilacions, cavillacions, subterfuges 
quieulxconques, ilz et checun d'eulx ont renuncie et renunczent, 
et par leurs diets sermentz impeschant ou retardant I'effet, 
substancze et enterinencze de cestes. Et nous, de leurs assente- 
mentz ad ce tenir et fornir, les avons condampnez et condamp- 
nons. 

Donne tesmoign le seel estably aux contractz de nousdictes 
courtz et checune y appossez, a la relacion des notaires et tabel- 
lions cy soubzcrij)tz, a leurs j^rieres et requestes. Ce fuct f aict 
et gree prins audict lieu de Beauport et oudict chapittre, le 
quatorziesme jour de decembre, I'an mil cinq centz quatorze. 
En interligne estahliz approuve et en cancelle ledict et rep- 
prouvez. Donne comme dessus. 

G. Folvays, passe. R. Bocher, passe. 

J. Du Vieuchastel, passe. 

Dampuiz I'escript cy dessus, le dimanche dix-septiesme jour 
dudict moays de decembre, I'an mil cincq centz quatorze, au 
pronne de la grande messe domynicalle celebree en I'esglise par- 
rocielle de I'ysle de Behat {sic), les parrossiens desmourantz et 
habitantz en ladicte ysle congregez et ensembles pour ouyr le 
service divin, et trecter de leurs negoces et affaires populaires, 
et que que soit la plus saine et mere somme d'iceulx, sgavoir est : 

1 The words in italic have been crossed out in the original. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 123 

Arthur Le Pellec, Gillect Elbin, ITicolas Palou, Yvon Guillou, 
Jouhan Leconiffle, Yvon Le Pellec, Jacques Estiemble, aultre- 
ment Sere, Olivier Le Bornyc, Juher Le Bras, Olivier Le Bri- 
gant, Thomas Prigent, Gillect Le Guern, Jouhan Le Brigant. 
Guillaume Le Dreuannec, Guillaume Le Les, Guillaume Le 
Chenis, Thomas Kaerenbellec et plusseurs aultres, lesquieulx 
parrociens et checun d'eulx, et comme que soit la mere voulx 
d'iceulx, ampres la lecture leur avoir este presentement faicte 
de la transsaction et appoincte cy dessus escripte, dab tee du 
xiiii*" jour de cest present moays de decembre, passee des 
notaires soubzcriptz, y rescours, enssuy entre reverand pere en 
Dieu, Jehan, abbe de I'abbaye ISTostre Dame de Beauport et le 
couvant dudict lieu, d'une part, et Nicolas Martin, Jouhan 
Bourssoul, Kolland Huon, Laurens Meryen, Kolland Le Brigant 
et checun d'eulx, procureurs a celle fin desdicts parrociens des- 
mourantz et habitantz en ladicte ysle et pour checun d'eulx, 
d'aultre partie, et icelle transsaction et appoinctement avoir 
este desclere et donne a antendre de moult a aultre, o tout son 
effect et sustancze ausdicts parrossiens, lesdicts parrossiens des- 
mourantz et habitantz en ladicte ysle, nuUy contredisant, ont 
ratiffie, loue et eu agreable, ratiffient, louent et ont agreable la- 
dicte transsaction et appoincte, voullantz et veuUent qu'il tienne 
et sorte son effect, ainsi et de la forme que si ilz et checun d'eulx 
eussent este presentz audict aj)pointement faire, promectantz, 
promectent et jurent par leurs sermentz, et sur I'obligacion de 
touz et checun leurs biens, meubles et immeubles, presentz et 
fucturs, ladicte transaction tenir, fournir et accomplir de point a 
aultre, sans james en contre venir, et cetera.- Gree et jure en 
toute mere fourme des contractz et o parailles renunciations que 
audict transsact sur dabte ; submission, prorogation de juridic- 
tion, et cetera, par nosdictes courtz du ressort de Goellou, Pen- 
poul, et par checune et I'une, et le gree prins audict lieu les- 
dicts jour et an. II y a en cancelle elle repprouve. 

E. Bocher, passe. J. Du Vieuehastel, passe. 

From the Archives of the Department of the Cotes-du-jSTord, 
serie H, f onds de I'abbaye de Beauport : printed in the Annates 
de Bretagtie, IX, E"o. 2, 176-82. Rennes, Janvier, 1894. The 
present copy was kindly collated with the original by Monsieur 
Tempier, the archivist of the Department, who himself first 
made known this document at a meeting of the Historical and 
Archeological Society of the Cotes-du-IvTord held on 11 June, 
1886. Of. Memoires de la societe archeologique des C6tes-du- 
Nord, 2^ serie, vol. II, p. XXXIII, Saint-Brieuc, 1885-6. 



124 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

XXXVII. 

18 February, 1520^ 

A VESSEL FROM BAYONNE FOR NEWFOUNDLAND. 

A Vos, Tres Honorables Seinhors, Mess" Los Loctenent de 
Moss"' Lo Maire, Esclevins et Conseilh de Baionne : 

Supplicque humblement Pes de le Lande, disen que a inten- 
cion, au plaser de Diu, tremecte son nabiu, aperat le Send Pe, 
a Terre E^ave, auquoau en ledite ciutat a cargat partide de quet, 
et sere content cargar le reste, si lodit nabiu pode bonemens pas- 
sar les passes, so que no luy sere possible, a cause que lodit 
nabiu trey grande aigue. So considerat, progue lodit suppli- 
cant que de vostres gracis vos placi luy donar congiit et liccenci 
de poder peracabar le cargue deudit nabiu au dejus Capbreton, 
chens prejudici deus establimens de ledite ciutat; et feratz bien. 

Viste la presente requeste, es estat autreyat congiit audit 
supplicant de poder peracabar sa cargue au dejus Capbreton, et 
asso de graci speciau, cbens prejudici deus establimens et ediit 
deu Rey nostre seinlior. Feyt en conseilli, lo xviij® jorn de 
fevrer mil V" XIX. 

From tbe Archives Municipales de Bayonne, Registres de 
Deliberations en gascon du Corps de Ville, BB, 6, fols. 95-6: 
printed in Archives municipales de Bayonne, Deliberations du 
Corps de Ville, Registres gascons, II, 242, Bayonne, 1898. 

XXXVIIa. 

To you, most Honourable Lords, Messrs. tbe Lieutenant of 
the Mayor, Sheriffs and Council of Bayonne : 

Pes de Le Lande makes humble petition, setting forth that 
it is his intention, at God's pleasure, to send to Newfoundland 
his ship called the St. Peter, which is already partly loaded in 
the said city, and he would be willing to load the remainder, if 
the said vessel could easily pass the channels, but this will not 
be possible, for the reason that the said vessel draws much water. 
In consideration of this, the said petitioner begs that of your 
goodness you will be pleased to grant him permission and 

1 Monsieur Ducere in his Rechei'ches historiqties siir la peche de la 
morue et la dicouverte de Terre-Neuve (Pau, 1893) mentions (p. 55), a 
document dated 1512. M. Ducere has since stated that this is a printer's 
error for the date given above. Cf. Archwcs municipales de Bayonne, 
DMibirations du Corps de Ville, Roles gascons, vol, I, p. XXV. 



PRECUESOES OF CARTIER 125 

licence to be allowed to complete the cargo of the said vessel 
below Capbreton/ without prejudice to the regulations of the 
said city ; and you will do well. 

The present request having been read, permission has been 
granted to the said petitioner to be allowed to complete his cargo 
below Capbreton, and this by special favour, without prejudice 
to the regulations and edict of the king, our lord. Given in 
council, 18 February, 1519 (n. st. 1520). 



XXXVIII. 

6 March 1521. 

A VESSEL FROM BAYOlSTlSrE BOUND FOR NEWFOUNDLAND. 

A Monseinhor lo Loctenent de Monseinhor Lo Maire, Es- 
clevins et !N^otable Conseilh de Baionne: 

Supplicquen humblement los seinhors Miqueu de Segure et 
Mathieu de Biran, disen que, an plaser de Diu, an delivrat: 
tremecte lor nabiu ente Terre Kabe, a le pesque, et lor combien 
grand quantitat de bitailhes, Et enter autres causes lo nombre 
et quantitat de quoarante pippes de pomade, de les meilhors que 
se puisquen trobar. Et sie aixi, que lodit de Segure a ung ver- 
ger en son vourdiu a Senct Esteben, lo quoau fey cultivar a sons 
despens, et aye certan nombre de pomades de quet ; et aussi lodit 
de Biran aye certans deutes a Seinhanxs, deusquoaus luy com- 
bien prende son paguement en pomades. So considerat, pre- 
guen, supplicquen et requeren losditz supplicans, que vous placi 
lor bailhar congiit, de graci speciau, et chens prejudici deus 
establimens de ledite ciutat, de cargar audit nabiu quoarante 
pipes de pomades estranges, partide deu bordiu deudit de Se- 
gure et lo surplus de Seinhanx, per la provision et abitailhement 
deudit nabiu ; et feratz bien. 

Aixi signat: M. de Biran. 

Viste le presente requeste et aquere en conseilh comunicade, 
ordenat es estat que losdits supplicants, ampres que an jurat 
enter les mangs de Monseinhor lo Loctenent, que lor sera licit et 
permes cargar en lordit nabiu, per habitailhement de quet, le 
mitat de les pomades ad aquet necessari deu crescut de le ciutat, 
et I'autre mitat de les deusditz supplicans. Et asso de graci 
speciau, considerat lo viadge que lodit nabiu a pres, et chens pre- 
judici deus establimens de le ciutat fasens mention deus vins et 
pomades et autres restrinctions et edict deu Key, nostre seinhor, 

1 A small town on the bav of Biscay, north of Bayonne. 



126 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

quoant aux portz, cargues et descargues. Et si son trobatz fasen 
lo contrari, incorreran 1' amende de cent livres tomes, applicque- 
deyres aus affars de ledite ciiitat. Feyt en conseilh, lo vj® jorn 
de mars, I'an mil V^ et vingt. 

DAYMAE. 

From tlife Archives Municipales (de Bayonne, serie BB. 6, 
fol. 189 ; printed in Archives municipales de Bayonne, Delibe- 
rations du Corps de Yille, Registres gaseous, 11, 281. 

XXXVIIIa. 

To My Lord the Lieutenant of My Lord the Mayor, Sher- 
iffs and ISTotable Council of Bayonne : 

Messrs. Michael de Segure and Matthew de Biran make 
humble petition, setting forth that they have decided, at God's 
pleasure, to send their vessel as far as ISTewfoundland to fish, 
and they need a large quantity of provisions, and among other 
things the number and quantity of forty butts of cider, of the 
best that can be found. And this being so, that the said de 
Segure has an orchard on his farm at St. Stephen, which is 
worked at his expense and from this he has a certain amount of 
cider ; and also the said de Biran has certain debts at Seinhanx\ 
for which he is willing to take payment in cider. In considera- 
tion of this, the said petitioners beg, supplicate and ask that 
you will be pleased to grant them permission, by special favour 
and without prejudice to the regulations of the said city, to load 
on board the said vessel forty butts of outside cider, part from 
the farm of the said de Segure and the surplus from Seinhanx, 
for the provision and victualling of the said vessel ; and you will 
be doing well. 

Sisrned : M. de Biran. 

The present request having been read and considered here 
in council, it has been ordered that the said petitioners, after 
they have taken oath before My Lord the Lieutenant, shall be 
allowed and permitted to load cider in their said vessel for the 
provisioning of the same, half the amount necessary thereto 
being gro^^^l in the city, and the other half being that belong- 
ing to the said petitioners. And this by special favour, in 
consideration of the voyage the said vessel is to make, and with- 
out prejudice to the regulations of the city making mention of 

1 Perhaps Cenac in the Department of the Gironde. 



PRECUESOKS OF CAETIER 127 

wines and ciders, and to other restrictions and edict of the king, 
our lord; relating to the ports, loading and unloading. And 
should they be found doing the contrary, they will incur a fine 
of one hundred livres tournois, to be applied to the affairs of the 
city. Given in council, 6 March, 1520. 

DAYMAE\ 

XXXIX. 

13 March, I 

22 May, J J-^^^' 

CONFIRMATION OF THE LETTERS PATENT TO FAGUNDES. 

Saibam quantos este estormento de trellado de doagam, dado 
em pubrica forma per mandado e autoridade de justiga, virem, 
que no anno do nacimento de nosso Senhor Jesu Christo de mill 
V° XXI annos, aos xxii dias do mes de mayo, em a praga da 
villa de Viana de foz de lima, perante Affonso Lopez, vereador 
e loguo tente de juiz em a dita villa, em. ausencia do doutor 
Francisco Mendez, juiz de fora com algada em a dita villa e 
seu termo por elrrei, nosso Senhor etc. pareceo Joam Alvarez 
ffagundez, cavaleiro da casa do dito Senhor, e apresentou, e 
per mini, taballiam, leer e pubricar ffez ao dito loguo tente de 
juiz huma carta de doa§am, escripta em purgaminho e assinada 
com o proprio sinall delrrey, nosso Senhor, e aseellada do sseu 
seello pendente, da quail o trellado, de verbo a verbo, tall he 
como sse ssegue: 

Dom Manuel, per graga de Deus, Eey de Purtuguall e dos 
Alguarves, daaquemedaalemmar em Affrica, Senhor de Guinee, 
e da conquista, navegagam, comercio d'Etiopia, Arabia, Persia, 
e da India etc., a quantos esta nosa carta virem, ffazemos saber, 
que nos demos a Joam Alvarez Fagundes, cavaleiro da nosa 
casa, huum nosso alvara em que sse contem, que sintindo nos, 
asy por servygo de Deus e nosso, e por Ihe ffazermos mercee, nos 
praz, que indo elle descobrir terras, Ihe darmos e ffazermos mer- 
cee da capitania de todas aquellas ilhas e terras que elle des- 
cobrisse, asy e pella maneyra que sam dadas aos capitaes das 
nossas Ilhas da Madeira e Agores ; e asy nos prazya, por quanto 
elle nom tinha ffilho macho, ssenam huma ffilha, que a dita sua 
filha e todos sseus ssocessores, asy por linha niascolina como 
ffeminina, podessem herdar a dita capitania, ssem embarguo 
da ley mentall, e que isto sse emtendesse naquellas cousas de que 
ja nom ffosse pasada algTima carta de mercee. E que nom po- 

1 The clerk. 



128 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

desse ir, nem sse entendesse esta mercee da primeira terra do 
Brasill, da banda do norte des contra o sull, ssenam pera o norte, 
ssegundo vimos per o dito alvara ; por bem do quail alvara elle 
ffoy a descobrir terras e ilhas haa dita parte nelle eonteudo, e 
ora nos ffez certo per testemunhas dinas de ffee, que elle achara 
as terras e ilhas sseguintes, a saber : a terra que sse diz ser ffirme, 
que he des a demarcagani de Castella, que parte de banda do 
sull com a nossa demarcagam, atee viir partir com a terra que 
OS Corte rreaes descobrirom, que hee da banda do norte ; aas tres 
ilhas na baya d'auguoada, na costa de nordeste e sudueste ; e as 
ilhas a que elle pos nome ifagumdas sam estas, a saber: sam 
Joam e sam Pedro, e santa Ana e santo Antonio ; e as ilhas do 
argepelleguo de sam Panteliom com a ilha de Pitiguoem, e as 
ilhas do argepelleguo das honze mill virgeens ; E a ilha de santa 
Cruz, que esta no pee do banco ; e outra ilha que sse chama 
tanbem de santa Ana, que foy vista e non apadroada : das quaes 
terras e ilhas Ihe ffazemos doagam e mercee da capitania dellas, 
asy e pella maneira que teemos dadas as capitanias da nosa ilha 
da Madeira e das outras ilhas, com todas as craussolas e condi- 
goes, declaragoes, gragas e mercees, privilegios e liberdades con- 
teudas e declaradas nas cartas das ditas capitanias, asy no que 
toca haa jurdigam como aas rendas, E em todo o mais nellas con- 
teudo. E quanto ha ssocesam, avella ha como no dito alvara ffiz 
mengam: e mais nos praz de Ihe ffazermos mercee E doagam 
pella mesma maneyra ssobredita das saboarias, brancas e pretas, 
de juro e derdade, das ditas terras e ilhas. E porem mandamos 
aos veedores da nosa ffazenda, e a todoUos nossos corregedores, 
juizes e justigas, contadores, vizinhos e moradores das ditas 
ilhas e terras, que ora sam e ao diante forem, que cunpram e 
guoardem, e ffagam em todo comprir e guoardar esta nosa carta 
ao dito Joam Alvarez ffagundez e a sseus ssocessores, et o 
raetam em posse dellas, ssem Ihe nisso poerem duvida nem em- 
barguo algum, por que asy he nosa mercee, avendo rrespeyto a 
sseus sservigos, E como a ssua propria custa e despesa elle des- 
cobrio as ditas terras e ilhas, e ffez nisso muyto gasto e despesa ; 
E por ffirmeza de todo, Ihe mandamos dar esta carta per nos asy- 
nada, E asseellada de nosso sseello pendente. Dada em a nosa 
muy nobre e ssempre leall cidade de Lixboa, aos xiii dias de 
margo. Manuell da Eonsseca a ffez, anno do nacimento de 
nosso Senhor Jesu Christo de mill V° XXI. E quanto haa 
jurdigam que toca ao civill, emtenderssea que a aja e que usara 
della asy e na maneira que ora usam os capitaes da ilha da 
Madeira, e Ihe he limitado por nos. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 129 

A quail carta asy apressentada, o dito Joam Alvarez rre- 
quereo ao dito logiio tente de juiz, que Ihe mandasse della dar 
o trellado em pubrica forma, por que Ihe era negesario. E visto 
-pev dito loguo tente de juiz sseu dizer, e a dita doagam, como 
era caregente de todo vicio e ssospeigam, interpos em mim, 
taballiam, sua autoridade hordinaria, e maiidou que Ihe desse 
o trello que pidia em pubrica forma, o quail mandava que val- 
lesse e ffizesse inteyramente ft'ee como o proprio originall. 
Testemunhas que eram presentes : Gongallo Pereira, tJavalleiro. 

Egas Lopez anes piloto pubrico e judiciall 

scnhor que esta esprevi e aqui meu pubrico sinall. 

Logar do signal publico. 

Erom the Archives of the Senlior Conde de Bertiandos': 
printed in E. A. de Bettencourt, op. cit., 132-5 ; and in the 
Archivo dos Azores, IV, 466-7, (with omissions). 



XXXIXa. 

Know as many as shall see this copy of a grant given in 
legal form by order and authority of justice, that on 22 May in 
the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 1521, in the market-place of 
the town of Vianna, at the mouth of the Lima^, before Alfonso 
Lopez, alderman and judge's deputy in the said town, in the 
absence of Dr. Francis Mendez, judge-advocate for the king, our 
lord, with jurisdiction over the said town and its environs, etc., 
appeared John Alvarez Fagundez, nobleman of the said lord's 
court, who produced and had me, the notary, read- and publish 
to the said judge's deputy a grant, written on parchment and 
signed with the sign-manual of the king, our lord, and sealed 
with his hanging seal, the tenour of which is, word for word, as 
follows : 

King Emmanuel, by the grace of God, king of Portugal and 
of the Algarves, of this and that side the sea in Africa, lord of 
Guinea and of tte conquest, navigation and commerce of Ethio- 
pia, Arabia, Persia and of India, etc. To as many as shall see 
these our letters we make known, that we have granted to John 

1 Owing to the fact that the original is kept at this gentlenian^s 
country seat in the noiith of Portugal, it has not been possible to collate 
the above copy. The Conde de Bertiandos sitill possesses a house at Vianna 
which came into his family as the property of Fagundes's daughter, 
mentioned, above. 

2 A river navigable for twelve miles from the sea. 
4473—9 



130 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

Alvarez Fagundes, nobleman of our court, a charter of onrs in 
which it is stated that, thinking it to be to God's service and our 
ovm, and in order to show him favour, it is our pleasure, should 
he set off to discover lands^ to give and grant him the governor- 
shij) of all those islands and lands he may discover, in the same 
form and manner that the governors of our islands of Madeira 
and the Azores have received their offices j and it was our plea- 
sure, since he had no son but only a daughter, that his said 
daughter and her successors, both in the male as well as the 
female line, should inherit the said governorship, notwithstand- 
ing any mental law, and that the above be understood of those 
matters in regard to which no grant of appointment has already 
been made. And that this grant should not include nor embrace 
the first land of Brazil from north to south, but towards the 
north, as we read in the said charter ; by virtue of which charter 
he set off to discover lands and islands in the region therein 
stated, and he now proves to us by witnesses worthy of credence, 
that he has found the following lands and islands, namely: the 
land said to be mainland which stretches from the line of de- 
marcation with Castille^, which is contiguous in the south with 
our boundary, as far as the land that the Oorte Reals discovered, 
which is in the north^: the three islands in Watering-place bay 
on the coast running north-east and south-west : and the islands 
named by him Fagundes are these, namely : St. John^, St. Peter, 
St. Anna and St. Antonio : the islands, of St. Panteliom's archi- 
pelago, with Pitiguoem island : the islands of the Archipelago of 
the 11,000 Virgins^: the island of Santa Cruz,^ which 
lies at the foot of the bank, and another island 
also named St. Anna, which was sighted but not put 
upon record; of which, lands and islands we give 
and grant him the governorship in the same form and man- 
ner that we have granted the governorship of our islands of 
Madeira and the rest, with all the clauses and conditions, 
favours and salaries, privileges and liberties contained and set 

1 This is placed to the west of St. Pierre and Miquelon. Vid. F. 
Kunstmann Atlas zur Entdeckungsgeschichte Amerikas, IV, Miincheu, 
1859, and .T. G. Kohl, Die beiden altesten General-Karten von Amerika, 
Weimar, 1860. 

2 Our Newfouudlaiul and Labrador. Vid. Kohl's edition of Eibero's , 
map. 

3 Vid. p. X., note <r. Supra. The others have not been identified. 

* Our St. Pierre and Miquelon islands. Vid. the Miller and Maggiolo 
niaiis. 

" On the Reinel, Kunstmann No. IV, Riccardiana, Vallard and Cabot 
maps it is placed to the south-east of cape Ra^-e. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIKR * \l]l 

forth in the grants of the said governorships, relating both to 
jurisdiction and to the revenues, and with all else therein con- 
tained. And in regard to the succession, he is to have it in the 
manner set forth in the said charter. And furthermore it is our 
pleasure to give and grant him, in the above-mentioned manner 
vnih legal right and inheritance, the white and black soap-houses 
of the said lands and islands. And furthermore we command 
the comptroller of our estate and all our magistrates, judges and 
justices, receivers, dwellers in and inhabitants of the said islands 
and lands, both present and future, to carry out and observe 
throughout, and to cause to be carried out and observed these our 
letters to the said John Alvarez Fagundez and his successors, 
and to grant possession thereof to him without raising any diffi- 
culty or impediment, for such is our pleasure, in view of his 
services and of how at his OAvn expense and cost he discovered 
the said lands and islands and spent therein much of his wealth. 
And in confirmation of all we command these letters signed by 
us and sealed with our hanging seal to be delivered to him. 
Given in our very noble and always loyal city of Lisbon on 
13 March. Emmanuel de Fonseca made this in the year of 
our Lord Jesus Christ 1521. And in regard to the civil juris- 
diction, it is understood he is to possess and use it in the form 
and manner that our governors of the island of Madeira now do, 
and to which we have restricted its use in his case. 

When this grant had been thus presented, the said John 
Alvarez asked the said judge's deputy to order a copy thereof in 
legal form to be given to him, as he was in need thereof. And 
when the said judge's deputy heard these words and saw that 
the said grant was free from all defects and suspicion, he inter- 
posed his ordinary authority, and ordered me, the notary, to give 
him the copy in legal form, which he directed should have the 
same force and complete credit as the original itself. Witnesses 
present : 

Gonzales Pereira, Knight, etc., etc. 

Space for the public seal. 



4i78 Di 



132 CANADIAN ARCHIVES ' 

XL. 

31 March, 1521. 

A VESSEL FRO:\I BAYONNE BOUND FOR NEWFOUNDLAND. 

A V. tres lionorables Seinhors, Mosseinhors Lo Loctenent, 
Efclevins et Conseilh de la Ciutat de Baionne : 

Remiistren liumblement los seinhors Pes de le Lande et 
Mathiii de Biran, marchaiis de ledite ciutat, que cum a present 
lor nabiu apperat Le Marie sie arribat cargat de myne fens lo 
Bocau, et a causes de les grantz chorres, no es possible montar 
per far sa descargue en ledite ciutat; Et cum presentemens 
ayen deliberat tremete lodit nabiu en Terre jSTave, a cause que lo 
temps es dispost a far lodit viadge, et si a present no lo fasen, 
lodit viadge sere pergut per tot I'an ; pareilliemensi le compainliie 
se jacten los lacbar si promptemehs lodit viadge no se fey, a 
cause de que an feyt plusors gallons et autres provisions, per 
que preguen et liumblementz supplicquen a vos autres, mesditz 
seinhors, que aven reguoard a sso dessus, vos placi de vostres 
venignes gracis lor concedir congiit et liccenci de descargar audit 
Bocau, o plus haitlt, ont vos sera vist fasedor, ladite myne per 
aquere menar en coraus en ledite ciutat, "affin de far lordit 
viadge ; car autrement si lodit congiit no los es permes, perdereu 
lodit viadge qui lor sere ung tres-grand dampnadge, auquoau vos 
plaira obviar. Et so fasen obligueratz losdits supplicantz a far 
servici a ledite ciutat en tot so que lor sera possible. 

Viste la presente requeste et aquere en eonseilli comunicade, 
es estat donat congiit et liccenci ausditz supplicans de descargar 
audit Bocau, o plus hault, ladite myne, per aquere menar en 
coraus en le presente ciutat, en seguent lor requeste ; Et asso de 
graci speciau, chens prejudici deus establimens de ledite ciutat 
et ediit deu Rey, nostre seinhor, en pagan los dretz acostumatz. 
Eeyt en conseilh, lo darrer jorn de mars mill V^ XX. 

Erom the Archives Municipales de Bayonne, Registres de 
Deliberations en gascon du Corps de Ville, serie BB. 6, fols. 
91-2 : printed in Archives municipales de Bayonne, Delibera- 
tions (In Corps de Ville, Registres gascons, IT, 240. 



precursors of cartier 133 

XLa. 

lo You, Most Honourable Lords, Messrs. the Lieutenant, 
Sheriffs and Council of the city of Bayonne : 

Messrs. Pes de Le Lande and Matthew de Birau, merchants 
of the said city, humbly set forth, how at present their vessel, 
called the Mary, has arrived within the Bocau\ loaded with red 
lead, and on account of the great currents, it is not possible to 
bring her up to unload her in the said city ; and as they have 
now decided to send the said vessel to ISTewfoundland, since the 
weather is favourable for making the said voyage ; and if they 
do not do so at once, the said voyage will be lost for this year : 
likewise the sailors boast they will leave them, if the said voy- 
age is not promptly begun, to which end they have made sev- 
eral cases of biscuits (?) and other provisions; wherefore they 
beg and humbly petition you, my Lords aforesaid, that, taking 
the above into consideration, you Avill be pleased of j-our kind 
favour to grant them permission and licence to unload at the 
said Bocau or higher up, where it shall be quickly done, and to 
bring the said red lead in barges here to this said city, in order 
to set oft" on the said voyage ; for otherwise if the said permis- 
sion be not given them, they will miss the said voyage, which 
will be a very great loss to them ; and this j'ou will be pleased 
to prevent. And in so doing you will put the said petitioners 
under obligation to serve the said city wherever possible. 

The present request having been read, and here in council 
considered, permission and licence have been given to the said 
petitioners to unload the said red lead at the said Bocau or 
higher up, in order to bring it in barges here to this city, 
according to their request; and this by special favour, on pay- 
ment of the accustomed dues, without prejudice to the regula- 
tions of the said city and edict of the king, our lord. Given in 
council, the last day of March 1520. (n. st. 1521). 

1 A port north of Baj-onne. 



134 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

XLI. 



1 March L 
9 Aprilj^'*"^' 



A PROJECTED EXPEDITION TO NEWFOUNDLAND. 

An answer made to serten of the hinges counsell as consernyrig 
the Tcinges shippes to he occupyed. 

The first daj of Marche^ here assembled my lord the maire. 
Sir Laurence Aylmer, M. Monoux, M. Milborn, M. Bayly, & ]\[. 
Wylkynson, aldermen, M. Carter, M. Clerk, & M. Vaughan, 
Wardens & of the Counsell, M. Hawkyns, M. Cremor, M. Gainc, 
M. Eudston, M. Askue, M. Gentyll, M. Perpount, M. White, M. 
Champyon, M. Sadler, & M. Dolphyn, and at the said assembley 
yt was aggreed that the Wardens w*= M. Eudston, M. Perpount 
& ]\I. Dolphyn shall common w* the Wardens of other aunncy- 
aunt ffeliships to knowe what aunswere were best to be made to 
M. Wynkfield & M. Broun, of the kynges counsell, concernyng 
the kinges shippys. And the same day, aftir assembley made 
at ffrere Austyns^ by wardens of dyvers companys, and aggreed 
all aftir one mynd, we made our aunswere in wryting & 
delyv'ered yt unto the said counsell by thassent of this hows, 
the tenour where of is this that foloweth : 

The aunswere of the Wardens of Drapers of London unto 
the reporte of Sir Eobert Wynkfeld and Sir Wolston Broun, 
knyghtes, and of our Soverayn lord the kinges moste honorable 
counsell, ffirst where it hathe pleased the kinges highnes of his 
moste gracious zele, good mynd, and tendre favour towardes his 
merchaundes of London had, as by the reporte of the foresaid 
Sir Eobert and Sir Wolston unto the said Wardens lately made, 
ffor the whiche moste gracious zele, good mynd and tendre 
favour, all we ben naturally bounden to pray to God for his 
moste gracious and prosperous contynuaunce in good helth and 
long lyf . And as toching the taking or receyving of one of the 
kinges shipps, we say we have noo auctorite to bynd our hole 
company and ffeliship unto any suche charge. And also that 
in our company be but fewe Aventurors, saving onely in to 
fflaunders, where unto requireth noo grete shipps. ffurther- 
more we say that if it be the kinges pleasur to caws to be man- 
ned, rvgged, appareled and vitayled suche a ship as the com- 
pany shall think convenient, that than we, the said wardens, shall 

1 Of the year 1521, new style. 
2 Austin Friars. 



PRECUKSOES OF CARTIER 135 

applye us to labour our said company for to fregiit and laid the 
said ship to the best of our powers, having suche a resonable 
price of ye freght, as other shipps hath in lyke viage & lading. 
Also we thynk it is dowtf ull that any English ship shalbe sufferd 
to laid in Spayn & in other countres, by reason of such actes & 
statutes there made, after suche lyke maner as be made in Eng- 
lond for gascon wyn & colles wood^ from Burdeux. 

The XI day of Marche here assembled M. Monoux, M. Mil- 
born, M. Bayly & M. Wylkynson, Aldermen, M. Carter, M. 
Clerk, M. Vaughan, Wardens, the hole counsell, the lyverey & 
the hole body of the ffeliship, ryche & poure, and at the said 
assembley was redd openly unto them the Articles folowing, 
directed unto us by the Wardens of the Mercers from the kinges 
Counsell and to x other craftes of the moste Aunciant, in thies 
woordes, that is to say: 

Certen nomher of shippes to he appoynted to go into the new 

fownd lande. 

ffirst the king & my lord Cardinal^ & the Counsell thynk- 
eth aswele for his honour as for the generall welth of this his 
Realm tliat there be appoynted a certayn noumbre of ships to 
be prepared for a viage to be made into the newefound Hand. 

And his gracious pleasur is, that it be opened unto the gen- 
eraltie of merchauntes adventurers & to certayn companys to 
knowe there benevolent myndes there in. 

And the demaund that is required of you is to fumyshe v 
shipps aftir this maner : The kinges Grace to prepare them in 
takyll, ordenaunce and all other necessaries at his charge, And 
also the king to here the adventour of the said shipps, And the 
merchauntes & companys to be at the charge of the vitayling 
and mennys wages of the same shipps for one hole yere, and the 
shipps not to be above vj^ ton a pece. And also it is the 
kinges pleasur that this Citie of London shalbe as hede Eeulers 
for all the hole realm, for asmany Cites and Townes as be 
mynded to prepare any shipps forwardes for the same purpos & 
viage, as the Town of Bristowe hath sent up there knowlege, 
that they wyll prepare ij shipps; And if ye be mynded to doe 
as afore is resyted, his gracious pleasur is that x yere after, 
there shall no nacion have the trate but you. 

1 Wood for casks. By I Henry VII, c. 8, Gascon wine could only be 
brought to England in English ships. 

2 Wolsey. 



136 CANADIAN AKCIIIVES 

And to have respyte for there custom xv monthes & xv 
nionthes, and the said Wardens to make aunswere in wryting of 
the premisses aforesaid bitwen this & Wednysday next com- 
myng. 

The premisses considered, the Maister, Wardens & Coun- 
sell endeverd them fnrthwith w*^ the best wordes, exortacion and 
diligence, to knowe the benivolent mynd of every man there 
assembled at that tyme, and also commaunded them that than 
were absent to come bifore my lord the maire and them the 
next morowe aftir. Soo that all there grannts amownted to a 
small somme. And my lord & maisters seying that, made 
there aunswer in form folowing, that is to say: 

Answer made to hyl sent hy the Wardens of Mercers. 

The aunswere of the Wardens of Drapers of London w* 
thassent & consent of the moste parte of all there company, 
unto a byll lately sent unto them by the Wardens of the Mercers 
of London consernying the appoyntement of v shipps to be 
prepared towardes the ISTewefound Hand. 

ffirst the foresaid Wardens & company of Drapers supposen 
and say, that if our Soverayne lord the kinges highnes, the Car- 
dinalles grace and the kinges moste honorable counsell were 
duely & substauncially enformed in such maner as perfite 
knowlege myght be had by credible reporte of maisters & mari- 
ners naturally born w* in this Realm of England, having ex- 
perience, and excercised in and abowt the forsaid Hand, aswele 
in knowlege of the land, the due courses of the seey, thiderward 
& homeward, as in knowlege of the havenes, roodes, poortes, 
crekes, dayngers & slioldes there uppon that coste and there 
abowtes being, that than it were the lesse joperdy to aventur 
thider than it is nowe, all though it be ferther hens than fewe 
English maryners can tell. 

And we thynk it were to sore aventour to joperd v shipps w* 
men & goodes unto the said Hand uppon the singuler trust of 
one man, callyd as we understond, Sebastyan\ whiche Sebas- 
tyan, as we here^ say, M^as never in that land hym self, all if 
he makes reporte of many thinges as he hath hard his ffather 
and other men speke in tymes past. 

And also we say that if the said Sebastyan had bene there 
and were as connyng a man in & for thoos parties as any man 

1 lu all probability Sebastian Cabot. Vid. Harrisse, John Cahot and 
Sebastian his son, 168-73. 

2 i. e. hear. 



PEECURSOKS OF CAKTIER 137 

niyg'lit be, having- non other assistauntes of maisters & maryners 
of Englond, excercised & labored in the same parties, for to gnyd 
there shipps & other charges than we knowe of, but onely 
trustine: to the said Sebastyan, we snppos it were no wysdom to 
aventur lyves & goodes thider in suche maner, what for fere of 
syknes or dethe of the said Sebastian, or for desevering of the 
said V shipps by nyght or by day, by force of tempestes or other- 
wyse, one from an other owt of syght, for than it shuld be gretely 
to dowte wheder ever thes v shipps shuld mete ayen in com- 
pany or nay, for the said Sebastian cannot be but in one ship, 
than the other iiij°^" shipps & men standes in grete perell, for 
lak of connyng maryners in knowlege of thoos parties, and to 
ordre & guyd them; and soo the vitaylles and mennys wages 
shalbe spent in vayn, and they glad to retorn homeward w* 
small comforte, for it is said among marjaiers in old proverbe : 
" he salys not surely that salys by an other mannys compas." 

Also we say that it is not possible that the said v shippes, 
besides there Balast, may'receyve the vitaylles to suffice so many 
men for one hole yere, soo that we think verely that in this 
adventour can be percevyed any advauntage or profeit to growe 
unto any man, but rather losse and damage, besides the gretest 
joperdy of all, whiche is mennys lyves. 

Than aftir that this our Aunswere and the Aunswers of x 
other crafts were debated & resoned among them all at Saynt 
Thomas of Akers\ they aggreed to send furth the Governour 
and iiij^^ Wardens of divers misters unto my lord Cardyiiall yv^ 
this coinmyssion f olowing : 

Here aftir foloweth the Articles that the commissioners sent 
to my lord Cardynall from the Wardens of xj companys to be 
spoken in the behalf of the said Wardens. 

ffyrst the foresaid Wardens sayen that there companys be 
wyllyng to accomplishe the kinges desire and pleasur in fur- 
nysshing of ij shippys accordingly, and they suppos to furnyssh 
the thryd, soo that one may here w* an other indifferently of xj 
ffelishippes assembled w^ the Aldermen of the same, And also 
uppon certayn articles to them to be gramited by the kinges 
liighnes & his honorable Councell. 

And the said wardens desyre to have longer respyte for a 
full aunswere therein to be yeven. 

1 Cf. J. Watney, Some Account of the Hospital of St. Thomas of 

Aeon, 94-5. T.oiulon. ]S92. 



138 CAISTADTAN AEC HIVES 

The said commissioners brought aimswere fro my lord Car- 
dynall that the king Avoid have the premisses to goo furth and to 
take effect. And there uppon my lord the maire was send for 
to speke w^ the king for the sam matier, so that his grace 
wold have no nay there in, but spak sharpely to the maire to 
see it putt in execucion to the best of his power. 

ffor the same purpose the xxvj day of Marche my lord the 
Maire commaunded the hole company of all this fraternite to 
assemble bifore hym at the Drapers hall, where was w^ grete 
labour & deligence & many divers warnynges, graunted first & 
last ij° marces^, presentyd by a byll to the maire, the ixth day 
of Aprill in this maner: 

i_/° marcTcs grauntyd towart maryners wages & rygging of 
shippes to the neiv found land. 

The Maister and Wardens of Drapers of London in the names 
of all there company graunten of there benevolent myndes to 
pay towardes maryners wages and vitayling of certayn shippes 
for one viage to be made by the grace of God into the IvTewf ound 
Hand ij° marces' under suche condicion as shalbe articled 
bitwen the kinges moste ISToble counsell and the Adventurers of 
the said cite of London unto the foresaid Hand, the names of 
the payers & their severall sommes for the said ij° marces ap- 
pereth in the iijd leef following. 

Here aftir foloweth the Kames of them that graimted to 
pay unto the charges of the viage to be made into the newefound 
Hand ij*^ marcs. 

My lord the maire. Sir John Brugge, VIII^^ 
Sir Laur. Aylmer. 

Mr. Monoux, VIIIl^. 

Mr. Milborn, Vll^i. , 

Mr. Bayly, Y^\ 

Mr. Wylkynson for hym & W"^'. Hartwell, X marces. 
Mr. Cartel XL^. 

Mr. Eoche, IIP^ 

Mr. Clerk, XL^. 

Mr. Vaughan, III'\ 

Mr, Hawkins, IIII marces. 

Mr. Cremor, V". 

1 The mark was 13s. 4d. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 



139 



°Mr. Starky, 


XIIP IIII^ 


Mr. Gaine, 


III". 


Mr. Burton, 




Mr. Eudston, 


V". 


Mr. Askue, 


V marces, 


Mr. Hasylwod, 




°Mr. Brugge, 


xxvr viii^ 


Mr. Breverer, 


L^ 


Mr. Gentyll, 


mi marces, 


Mr. Brothurs, 


IIII marces, 


Mr. Laur, Starky. 




Mr. Dixon, 


HIP. 


Mr. Perpount, 


V marces. 


Mr. Wliite. 


XU. 


Mr. Champion, 


xu. 


Mr. Dolpliyn, 


XL\ 


Mr. Burgh, 


XL\ 


Mr. Cradok, 




Mr. Sadler, 


XL\ 


Mr. Warner, 


Xlf. 


Mr. Tryndyll, 


XL^ 


Mr. Greneway, 




Mr. Bawdwyn, 




Mr. Monmoth, 


XP. 


Mr. Doctor Ancarage, 




Mr. Pawlet, 




Mr. Eycroft, 




° William Venables, 


xx^ 


William Larke, 


xxvr viTi'. 


John Hancok, 




John Happyffeld, 


xx^ 


John Smyth sen.. 




John Southwod, 


xx\ 


° William ITele, 


xiir iiii-^. 


Eic. fforth, 




Thomas Ovand, 


xxvr VIII''. 


° Arnold Babyngton, 


xx^ 


Thomas Spencer, 


xx^ 


John Parys, 


xxvr viii'^. 


Eic. Bysshop, 


xx^ 



140 



CANADIAN ARCHIVES 



Rog. Dele, 


xv. 


Matlieu Boughton, 




John Pariiell, 


xxvr viii^ 


Pancras Colred, 


xiir HIP. 


John Braunchj 


xx^ 


Ric. Prow, 


XL^ 


° William Prud, 


xiir iiir. 


° Thomas fflud, 


xiir HIP. 


John Smyth jun., 


XXI 


John Richardes, 


XL\ 


William Chamberlayn, 


XL^ 


John I^yddermyster, 


V". 


Thomas Bartelet, 




° Thomas Barret, 


xiir HIP. 


°William ^Nicholson, 


xiir iiiP. 


Thomas Gest, 


xx^ 


John Plummer, 


XXI 


Thomas Ilnntyngfeld, 




° William Bowyer, 


IIP. 


Thomas Wattys, 


IIP. 


Ric. Warner, 




Thomas Howell, 




° Robert Oke, 


xiir HIP. 


Robert Lees, 


xxvr VHP. 


° William ffyssher, 


vr VHP. 


°Rog. Sonthall, 


xiir HIP. 


Snm of the grannte of the masters 


lyverey 


Am''^ 




Bachillers. 




John Saunders, 


iir^ vr VHP. 


°John Isaac, 


V marces. 


John Sadler, 


x^ 


Robert Alford, 


HP IHP. 


Bryan Hartwell, 


XL^ 


Jamys Apole, 


xxvr VHP. 


°John Brokk, 


xx^ 


Stephen Gybson, 


XL\ 


John Goodryk, 


XL^ 



Henry C a pell & Edward C a pell, 



nil''. 



PRECURSORS OV CARTIER 141 



William Thomson^ 




XL^ 


Robert Ap Raynold, 




x^ 


Robert Xicholson, 




x^ 


Thomas Bough, 




vr viii^ 


° William Burnyngale. 


> 


xx^ 


° Thomas Grafton, 




iir iiir\ 


° Thomas Dudley, 




IIP HIP. 


°Hugh Umpton, 




IIP iiir\ 


° Roger Lowdale, 




IIP iiir. 


°Ric. Robynson, 




IIP HIP. 


° David Greffeth, 




IIP IIIF. 


°Peter Cave, 




IIP HIP. 


"Sampson Crompton, 




IIP HIP. 


°Johu Persons, 




HP HIP. 


° Thomas Stowell, 




IIP HIP. 


° Thomas Pykmer, 




IIP HIP. 


° Henry Chardnall, 




IIP HIP. 


°John Swan, 




IIP HIP. 


° William Page, 




IIP HIP. 


°John Chaundeler, 




IIP HIP. 


°Germayn Corbett, 




IIP HIP. 


° Cristof er Ranwyk, 




IIP HIP. 


° Edward Dee, 




IP 


°John Clerk, 




IP. 


° Patrick Michelson, 




XX*^. 


°Laur. Sulley, 




XX'\ 


°John Dynhm, 


'■ 


XX'^. 


°Williani Webbe, 




xx^ 


° Thomas Warner, 




xx*^. 


^William Bayly, 




XIP. 


° Thomas a Wodd, 




XIP. 


° Thomas Dady, 




XIP. 


°William Kent, 




XIP. 


° Robert Sandes, 




XIP. 


° Alexander Lee, 




XIP. 


° Peter ITonyborn, 




XTP. 


Sum of the o-raunte of the 


Bachillers 




Am^^ ^ 






Memorandum that all the 


names bifore 


wrytten in this lefe 



142 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

that have this ° uppon there heedes were not putt in my lord 
the maires byll. 

From the Eecords of the Drapers' Company of London, vol. 
VII (1514-50), pp. 167-70 and 175-6; printed in part in W. 
Herbert, History of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of 
London, I, 410-11, London, 1837; and in Harrisse, The Dis- 
covery of North America, 747-50. 



XLIL 

21 August 1522 

NOTICES OF THE KETURN OF THE ENGLISH FISHING FLEET FROM 
NEWFOUNDLAND. 

(1) 

A Letter from Vice-Admiral Fitzwilliam to Cardinal Wols§y. 

Also I sent for West, who should goo west- 

wardes' to gyve hym his charge, and he shewed 
me he hath vitailles but for oon weke, wherfore 
he cannot goo soo farre off, as he shuld doo, w* soo small 
vitailles; and that considered, your grace must doo oon of 
these two thinges, that is to seye, either sonde vitailles unto 
hym incontynently, or elles let the Mary James goo in his place, 
who as yet is vitailled for ffyve wekes; and though it bee not 
long sythens Bawdewyn Willoughby, Capitayn tlierof, was 
made the kinges servant, yet I dare bee bowTide for his hardy- 
nesse and trueth. The oon of which two thinges must bee fol- 
lowed, ffor it were to grete a losse, that such ships as bee ap- 
pointed westwardes, shuld not bee sent forwardes afor the com- 
myng home of the new fownd Isle landes flete. 

Written in the Downes\ this Thursday at night, at xi of the 
clok, by your servant to the best of his power. 

WYLLIAM FFYTZWYLLIAM. 
Endorsed : To the lord Cardinalls Grace 

From Syr William Fitzwilliams. 

From the Public Record Office, Letters and Papers of 
Henry VIII, vol. 25, pp. 140-1 : summarized in the Calendar 
vol. 3, pt. 2, m. 2459. 

1 Between the east coast of Kent and the Goodwin Sands. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 143 

(2) 
Vice-Admiral Fitzwilliam to King Henry VIII. 

Please it your hignesse to understand that yesternyght I 
w*" themporours armye arryved here, the circumstance wherof 
and of every other thing concernyng the same, I have written at 
length to my lord cardynalles grace, which I knowe well your 
grace will see, and therfore I trouble not your hignesse therw* 
at this tyme. And in contynent upon myne arryvalle here, I 
sent for my fellowe West, to have shewed hym your gracious 
pleasur concernyng his charge westwardes ; and he shewed me 
he was not vitailled passed for oon weke, which is f arre to litle 
to goo into those parties, wherof I am right sorye ; ffor I assure 
your grace, by that that I can here and perceyve, he hath doon 
his duetie here right well, and is worthy thankes. But the caas 
is now that your grace must doo oon of these two thinges, that 
is to sey, either sende vitailles for hym incontynently, there 
maye no tract bee therin, or elles let the Mary James goo in 
her place, for now surely commeth home the new fownd Isle- 
land flete 

Written in the Downes, this Thursday at night, the xxi^*" 
day of August, at xi of the clok, by your humble subgiet and 
most bownd servant, 

WYLLIAM FFYTZWYLLIAM. 
Endorsed : To the kinges hignesse From Master Fitzwilliams. 

From the Public Record Office, Letters and Papers of 
Henry VIII, vol. 25, pp. 138-9 : summarized in the Calendar 
vol. 3, pt. 2, No. 2458. 



XLIII. 

17 September 1522 

TRESH CONFIRMATION TO VASCO ANNES CORTE REAL OF THE LET- 
TERS PATENT GRANTED TO HIS BROTHER GASPAK. 

A V° anes Corte Real, conffirmacam da doacam que foy feita 
a Gaspar Corte Real, seu irmao das capitanias que elle des- 
cobrisse, etc. 

Dom Joam, etc. A quantos esta nosa carta virem, fazemos 
saber, que por parte de V° anes Corte Reall, fidalguo de nosa 
casa, nos foy apresentada hua carta delRey, men senhor e padre, 



144 CANADIAN AECHIVES 

que santa gvolya (sic) aja, de que o teor tall he: Dom Manoell, 
per graca de Deos, Rey de Purtugall e dos Algarves, daquem e 
dallem mar em Africa, senhor de Guinea e da conquysta, nave- 
gacam, comergio d'Etiopia, Arabia, Persia, da India, a quantos 
esta nosa carta de confirmagam, [etc. as in 'Nos,. XXVII and 

XVII, pp. 92-4 and 32-4] 

Alvoro Pernamdez a fez, de m b*^ . Pedimdonos o dito V° anes 
Corte Reall por merge, Ihe confirmamos a dita carta, e visto per 
nos sou requerimento, queremdolbe f azer graca e merce, Iha con- 
firmamos e avemos por comfirmada asy e pella maneira que nela 
he conteudo, e mamdamos que asy se guarde, sem outra duvida. 
Feita em Lixboa a xbij dias do mes de setembro. Pero Pernam- 
dez a fez , ano do nagimento de noso Senhor Jhu X° de mil 
b'^xxij. 

Prom the Archive Xacional da Torre do Tombo, liv. XXXV 
deD. JoaoIII, fols. 2^-3', andliv.XLIX of the same, fol. 243^: 
printed in the Harrisse, Les Corfc-Beal, 226-7 ; and in the 
Archivo dos Acores, IV, 501. 

XLIIIa. 

confikmation to vasco annes corte real of the grant 

MADE TO HIS BROTHER CASPAR CORTE REAL OF THE CAP- 
TAINRIES HE MIGHT DISCOVER, ETC 

King John', etc. To as many as shall see these letters of 
ours, we make known, that there has been presented to us by 
Vasco Amies Cortc Real, nobleman of our court, a grant of tho 
king, my father and master, whom Heaven guard, whereof the 
tenour is: 

King Emmanuel, by God's grace, king of Portugal and of 
Mie Algarves, of this and that side the sea in Africa, lord of 
Guinea and of the Conquest, Xavio-ation and Commerce of 
Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia and of India, to as many as shall see 
this grant [etc. as in Xos. XXVIIa and XVIIa, pp. 94-6 and 

3^-7].... 

The said Vasco Amies Cortc Real requesting us to confirm to 
him tho said grant, v.'o, liaviug road Ids petition, and desiring 
to show him favour and to do him a kindness, confirm it and hold 
it confirmed to him in the form and manner therein sot forth; 

1 The third. 



PRECUKSORS OF CARTIER 145 

and we command that it be thus observed without further ques- 
tion. Done in Lisbon on the 27th day of the month of Sep- 
tember. Peter Fernandez made this in the year of the nativity 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1522. 



XLIV. 

27 March, 1523. 

AGREEMENT WITH GOMEZ FOR THE DISCOVERY OF A NORTH-WEST 

PASSAGE. 

El Key. 

Per quanto Vos, Estevan Gomez, nuestro piloto, Por nos 
servir, vos offreceis de yr a descubrir el Cathayo oryental, de 
que teneis noticia y rrelacion, por donde hazeis fundamento des- 
cubrir hasta las nuestras yslas de Maluco, que todo cahe y es 
dentro de nuestros limites y demarcagion; e que yendo por el 
dicho camino del Catayo oriental, ay muchas yslas e provingias, 
hasta oy no descubiertas, de mucha rriqueza de oro, plata y 
espegierias y droguerias ; dando vos Yo ligengia y f acultad para 
ello, y mandando vos armar una carabela, de porta de hasta 
ginquenta toneles, armada y fornegida de mantenimientos por 
un ano, y algunas mercadurias, que pueda costar, armada y 
puesta en horden,- hasta mill y quinientos ducados, y probeyendo 
Vos del cargo de nuestro capitan de la dicha carabela, e otor- 
gandovos las cossas que de yuso seran contenidas ; e Yo tubelo 
por bien con las condigiones y declaragiones siguientes : 

Primeramente, Vos doy licengia, para que vais a hazer el 
dicho viaje y descubrimiento, con tanto que no vais en los 
limites de la demarcagion del Serenisimo Eey de Portugal, mi 
muy caro y muy amado primo y hermano, ni en cosa alguna de 
lo que le pertenesge, salvo dentro de nuestros limites; porque 
nuestra voluntad es, que lo asentado y capitulado entre la corona 
rreal de nuestros Eeinos y la de Portugal se guarde y cunpla 
enteramente. 

Y para ello digo, que Vos mandare armar a nuestra costa la 

dicha carabela del dicho porte de ginquenta toneles, y vos la 

mandare l)astecer y vituallar por un aiio, y poner en ella las 

mercaderias negesarias, y vos hare nuestro capitan della, e dello 

vos mandare dar nuestra provision patents en forma. 
4473—10 



146 CAN■ADIA^^ ARCHIVES 

Otrosi : Por hazer merced a nuestros subditos y iiaturales, es 
mi merced y voluntad de les dar ligengia y f acultad, y por la 
presente se la doi, para que sobre lo que nos mandaremos forn- 
eger en la diclia carabela, puedan ellos armar y forneger lo que 
faltare para el despacho y abiamiento de la dicha carabela; y 
les liago merged y concedo y doy licengia para que en las quatro 
primeras armadas que se armaren y fueren a las tierras y partes 
que vos descubrieredes, e por la parte que vos fueredes despues 
desta, puedan armar y fornecer otra tanta cantidad como agora 
armaren, e siendo el armada maior, como se espera sera, puedan 
contribuir en lo demas, sueldo a libra, del coste desta, a lo que 
las armadas que adelante fueren e se armaren por la dicha parte 
costiare, sin que scan obligados a nos pagar por este primero 
viaje derecho, ni otra cosa alguna, mas de la veintena, questa 
hordenada para rredencion de cativos y obras pias. 

Iten : Por quanto me hezistes Relagion, que pues Vos poneis 
en ello vuestra persona, querriades armar alguna parte en la 
dicha armada, de que se os rrecregiese algun probecho, e me 
suplicastes Vos mandase pagar adelantados dozientos ducados 
para en quenta del salario que de nos teneis asentado por nues- 
tro piloto en la cassa de la Contratagion de Sevilla, 6 mandaros 
rrescibir por armador e conpaiiero en la 'dicha armada, por ellos 
digo, que vos mandare rresgibir por armador y conpaiiero en la 
dicha armada por los dichos dogientos ducados, que es mi volun- 
tad que se vos paguen adelantados, los quales se descuenten de 
nos de la parte que nos fornegemos, e sean para que vos gozeis 
dellos, e se descuenten del dicho vuestro salario, 6 vos los man- 
dare pagar adelantados en la dicha cassa, como Vos lo suplicais. 

Otrosi: Digo que Vos mandare pagar dos lonbarderos, per- 
sonas abiles y sufigientes e de confianga, para que sirvan en la 
dicha armada. 

Yten : Quiero y es mi voluntad, por que los maestres pilotos 
e marineros a (sic) las otras personas que en la'idicha armada 
fueren, sirvan con mejor voluntad en ella, de les dar ligengia, 
y por la presente se la doy, para que despues de rrescatadas las 
cossas nuestras, e de los dichos armadores que van en la diclia 
carabela, ellos puedan rrescatar sus caxas e quintaladas en lo 
que quisieren y por bien tubieren, e que delo que asi rrescataren 
e traxeren en las dichas sus caxas e quintaladas, hasta en valor 
de dogientos ducados de oro, vendidos en estos rrcinos, no sean 



PRECURSORS OF C ARTIER 147 

obligados a nos pagar derechos, ni otra cosa algima mas de la 
veintena parte ; pero si rrescateren e triixeren mas valov de los 
dichos dogientos ducados, los dichos marineros e los dichos 
grumetes a este rrespeto, de lo demas rrestante, nos pagiien el 
quinto para nos, y la dicha veintena, pero entiendese que los 
dichos dogientos ducados de valor, lo pueden traer los marineros, 
pero los grumetes j pajes podran traer a este rrespeto sueldo a 
libra, segun lo que cada uno gana de sueldo, 

Otrosi : Por case a la yda 6 a la buelta, 6 en dando el diclio 
descubrimiento, hizieredes alguna pressa 6 cavalgada, por mar 6 
por tierra, sacado el quinto para nos, lo demas rrestante, se haga 
tres partes, j la vuestra ayais Vos el dicbo capitan y la gente 
de la dicha carabela, y las otras dos queden para nos y para los 
armadores della. 

De lo qual Vos mande dar y di la presente capitulation, fir- 
mada de mi nombre y rrefrendada de mi ynfrascrito secretario. 
Fecha en Valladolid a veinte y siete dias (del mes de margo, de 
mill y quinientos y veinte y tres afi03= Yo el Rey=Senalada 
del governador maior, y Caravajal, y del dotor Beltran: rrefran- 
dada de Cobos. 

From the Archivo de Indias at Seville, estante 139, cajon 
1, legajo .1, folios 30^-32, and also 139-1-6, fol. 109 : printed in 
a modernized form in the Coleccion de Documentos ineditos 
relativos al Descubrimiento, etc., de las antiquas Posesiones 
espafioJas, XXII, Y4-8. Madrid, 1874; and in J. T. Medina, 
El Portugues Estehan Gomez al servicio de Espana, 37-41, 
Santiago de Chile, 1908. 

XLIVa. 

The King 

Forasmuch as you, Stephen Gomez, our julot, in order to 
serve us, on my giving you licence and permission for this, and 
ordering to be fitted out for you a caravel of about fifty 
tons' burdeu, armed and furnished Avith provisions for one 
year and with merchandise which might cost, fitted out and put 
in order, as much as one thousand five hundred ducats, and 
on my giving you the charge of our captain of the said caravel 

1 Charles V. 
4473— lOi 



l-iS CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

and granting you the things set forth below, offer to go and dis- 
cover Eastern Cathay, of which yon have notice and informa- 
tion, where yon hope to discover as far as our Mohicca isLands, 
which all falls and lies within our limits and sphere of influ- 
ence; and seeing that along this said route to Eastern Cathay 
there are many islands and provinces hitherto undiscovered, 
very rich in gold, silver, spices and drugs, I accepted under 
the following conditions and terms : 

Eirst of all I give you licence to make the said voyage and 
discovery on condition you do not enter the limits of the sphere 
of influence of the Most Serene king of Portugal, my very dear 
and much beloved cousin and brother^, nor approach any of his 
possessions, but only within our limits; because our wish 
is that the agreement and covenant between the royal cro\vn of 
our kingdoms and that of Portugal be observed and carried out 
in full." 

And for this I say that I shall order the said caravel of the 
said burden of fifty tons to be fitted out for you, and shall order 
it to be provisioned and victualled for you for one year, and 
the necessary goods to be placed on board, and shall appoint 
you our captain thereof; and for this I shall order j^ou to be 
given our letters patent in due form. 

Eurthermore, to show favour to our subjects and people, it 
is my will and wish to give them licence and permission, and by 
these present I give it to them, that besides what we shall order 
to be placed in the said caravel, they may provide and furnish 
whatever may be wanting for the despatch and fitting out of the 
said caravel; and I grant and permit and give licence that in 
the first four fleets fitted out and sent to the lands and regions 
that you may discover and where you may afterwards go, they 
may fit out and furnish a similar quantity to that now fur- 
nished ; and if the fleet be larger, as it is hoped it will be, they 
may contribute to the rest, one penny per pound, of the expense 
of the fleets afterwards to be sent and fitted out for the said 
region, without being obliged to pay to us for this first voyage 
any duty or other charge whatever more than the twentietlrpart, 
which is designed for redemption of captives and pious works. 

Moreover, forasmuch as you informed me that since you 

1 John III. of Portusal was the son of Charles V's aunt Maria, and 
married his sister Catalina. 



PEECUKSOKS OF CAETIER 149 

are venturing your person in this enterprise, you would like to 
provide some portion of the cost, by which you may recover 
some gain, and have asked me to order you to be paid in advance 
two hundred ducats of the salary you receive from us as our 
pilot in the Casa de la Contratacion at Seville, or to order you 
to be received as shareholder and partner in the said fleet, re- 
garding this, I say that I shall order you to be received as share- 
holder and partner in the said fleet to the amount of the said 
two hundred ducats, which it is my will should be paid to you 
in advance^ which are to be deducted from the portion we are 
furnishing; and you are to profit by them and they are to be 
deducted from your said salary, or I shall order them to be 
paid to you in advance at thle said Casa, as you ask. 

Furthermore I declare that I shall order two artillery-men 
to be provided for you, persons both expert, qualified and trust- 
worthy, to serve in the said fleet.* 

Moreover, I desire and it is my wish, in order that the mas- 
ters, pilots, sailors and other persons who go in the said fleet 
may serve in her with better Avill, to give them licence and by 
these presents I give it to them, that, after our goods and those 
of the said partners on board the said caravel have been traded, 
they may barter whatever is in their chests and their hat-money 
for whatever they wish and find suitable ; and that on whatever 
they may thus barter and bring back in the said chests and with 
their hat-money, to the value of tw^o hundred gold ducats when 
sold in these kingdoms, they be not obliged to pay us dues nor 
any other charge more than the twentieth i^art ; but should the 
sailors and the said ship's-boys barter and bring back things of 
more value than the said two hundred ducats, they must pay us 
one-fifth of the remainder, as well as the said twentieth part; 
but it is understood in regard to the two hundred ducats that 
though the sailors may bring bnck this amount the ship's-boys 
and pages will only bring back one penny in the pound accord- 
ing to the wages of each. 

Furthermore in case in going or coming, or in the course of 
the said discovery, you should make any capture or prize, by sea 
or land, the fifth part having been taken for us, the remainder 
shall be divided into three portions, and you, the said captain, 
and the crew of the said caravel shall have yours, and the other 
two are for us and for the partners of the same. 



150 CANADIAN AECIIIVES 

For the which I ordered you to be given and gave you the 
present agreement signed with my name and countersigned by 
me, the undersigned secretary. Given at Valladolid on the 
twenty-seventh day of the month of March one thousand five 
hundred and twenty-three. I the King. Signed by the Gover- 
nador Maior and by Caravajal and by Dr. Beltran; counter- 
signed by Cobos. 



XLV. 

27 March 1523. 

THE APPOINTMENT OE GOMEZ AS CAPTAIN. 

EL REY. — Don Carlos, etc. Por quanto nos abemos man- 
dado tomar cierto asiento y concierto con vos Esteban Gomez, 
nuestro piloto, para que vais a descobrir el Catayo Oriental, de 
que teneis noticia e relacion, por el mar Oceano, e para baser 
el dicho viaje, os abemos mandado armar una carabela con la 
gente e mantenimientos e otras cosas necesarias para el dicho 
viaje; por ende, confiando de vos que soys tal persona que 
guardareys nuestro servicio, e que bien e fiel e deligentemente 
entendereis en lo que por nos vos fuere mandado y encomen- 
dado, es nuestra merced y voluntad de vos nombrar e por la 
presente vos nombramos por nuestro capitan, e vos damos poder 
e facultad para que por el tiempo que en ella anduvierdes, hasta 
que con la bendicion de ISTuestro Senor bolvais a estos reynos, 
podays usar e useys del dicho oficio de nuestro capitan della, 
asy por mar como por tierra, por vos e por vuestro lugarteniente, 
en los cases y cosas al dicho oficio anexos e pertenecientes, e 
vierdes que conviene a la execucion de la nuestra justicia e bien 
e utilidad de las tierras e yslas que descubrierdes, segund e de 
la manera que hasta aquy lo han usado los nuestros capitanes 
de la mar que han seydo ; e por esta nuestra carta mandamos a 
los maestres, contramaestres, pilotos e marineros, gente que en 
la dicha armada fueren, e a qualesquier personas que estovieren 
e resydieren en las dichas tierras e yslas que descobrierdes, y a 
quien lo en esta nuestra carta contenido toca e ataiie e ataiier 
puede en qualquyer manera, que vos ayan e reciban e tengan 
por nuestro capitan, e como a tal os acaten 6 cumplan vuestros 
mandamyentos, so la pena e penas que vos de nuestra parte les 
pusyerdes e mandaredes poner, las quales nos por la presente 
les ponemos e abemos por pnestas, e vos riamos porler o facultad 



PKECUKSOKS OF C ARTIER 151 

para las executar en sus personas y bienes; e que vos guarden 
e fagan giiardar todas las honras, gracias, mercedes, franquezas 
e libertades, preheminencias, prerrogativas e ynmunydades que 
por razon de ser nuestro capitan debeys e gozar e vos deben ser 
guardadas ; e es nuestra merced e mandamos que si en el tiempo 
que anduvierdes en la dicha armada, se movieren algunos 
pleytos y diferencias, asy en la mar como en la tierra, los 
podays librar y determynar e liacer sobre ello complimiento de 
justicia brebe e sumariamente, sin estrepitu ni figura de juicio ; 
que para librar y determynar los dichos pleytos e para todo lo 
demas en esta nuestra carta contenydo e al diclio oficio de 
capitan anexo e concerniente, vo& damos poder y facultad por 
esta nuestra carta, con todas sus yncidencias e dependencias, 
anexidades e conexidades, e los unos ny los otros no fagades ny 
fagan ende al, so pena de la nuestra merced e de diez mill 
maravedis para nuestra camara a cada uno que lo contrario 
hiciere. Dada en la villa de Valladolid, a veintysiete dias del 
mes de marzo, aiio del nacimiento de ISTuestro Seiior Jesucristo 
de mil y quinientos y veinte y tres arios. — ^YO EL REY. — En 
las espaldas desta provisyon estaban los nombres siguientes: 
Hernando de Vega, comendador mayor, doctor Carvajal, el 
doctor Beltran. — ^Refrendada de Cobos. 

From tlie Archivo de Indias, est. 139, leg. 1, caj. 6, tomo 
IX, fol 108^: printed in Medina, op. cit., Documentos, II, 
130-33. 



XLVa. 

The King. Don Carlos, etc. Eorasmucli as we have com- 
manded a certain contract and agreement to be made with 
you, Stephen Gomez, our pilot, that by way of the ocean you 
may go and discover Eastern Cathay, whereof you have notice 
and information, and in order to undertake the said voyage, we 
have ordered a caravel to be fitted out for you with the crew 
and provisions and other things necessary for the said voyage; 
wherefore having confidence in you as a proper person who 
will be careful of our service and will well and faithfully and 
diligently carry out what we shall order and commit to you, 
it is our will and pleasure to appoint you and by these presents 
we do appoint you our captain, and give you power and author- 
itv to use and make use of the said office of our captain during 



152 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

the period of the said voyage, until by God's grace you may 
return to these kingdoms, both on sea and on L^nd, by yourself 
and your lieutenant, in the cases and matters belonging to and 
connected AVith the said office, and which you may consider as 
belonging to the execution of our justice and to the welfare and 
utility of the lands and islands you may discover, in the form 
and manner which our sea captains have hitherto used; and 
by these letters we command the masters, quartermasters, 
pilots and sailors, people who may sail in the said expedition 
and any persons who may visit or reside in the said lands and 
islands by you discovered, and to whom the contents of these 
letters pertain and relate and may in any manner pertain, to 
consider and receive and regard you as our captain, and to 
acknowledge you as such, and to carry out your orders, on pain 
of the punishment and punishments which in our name you 
may inflict and may order to be inflicted, which we by these 
presents inflict and hold to be inflicted on them, and we give 
you power and authority to carry out these on their persons 
and goods: 

And they are to respect and to cause to be respected 
all the honours, graces, favours, franchises and liberties, advan- 
tages, prerogatives and immunities which, by virtue of being 
our captain, you should enjoy and which should be observed in 
your behalf. 

And it is our pleasure and we command tliat s-hould 
any lawsuits and differences arise during the time you are 
absent on the said expedition, either at sea or on land, you may 
decide and settle them and cause justice to be done in each 
case quickly and summarily without clamour or formal tri- 
bunal; that in order to decide and determine the said lawsuits 
and to carry out all else set forth in these letters of ours belong- 
ing and pertaining to th'e said office of captain, we give you 
power and authority by these our letters, with all its incidences 
and dependences, annexed and connexed, and neither these nor 
those shall do anything to the contrary on pain of our dis- 
pleasure and of 10,000 maravedis for our Exchequer from each 
who shall do the contrary. Given in our city of Valladolid on 
the twenty-seventh day of tlie month of March, in the year of 
the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ 1523. — I the King. On 
the back of this instrument were the following names: Fer- 
dinand de Vega, knight commander. Dr. Carvajal. Dr. Bel- 
tran. — Countersigned by Cobos. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIEB 153 

XLVI. 

14 April 1523. 

REWARDS PROMISED TO GOMEZ ON HIS RETURN. 

EL REY. — Per quanto vos Esteban Gomez, nuestro piloto, 
per nos servyr, vos liabeis ofrecido de yr a descobril el Catayo 
Oriental, y sobrello habemos mandado tomar con vos cierto 
asyento e capitulacion, como mas largo en el se contiene, e vos 
al presente no me snplicastes cosa alguna de que nos hiciese 
merced en enmienda e remuneracion de vuestro trabajo, por la 
presente, acatando la voluntad con que vos liabeis movido a 
ITos servyr, y el peligro que se vos ofrece en el dicho viaje, digo 
y prometo por my palabra real, que a la vuelta que en buena ora 
bolvais del dicho descubrimyento, vos hare las mercedes que 
vuestros servycios merecen: de lo cual vos mande dar y di la 
presente, firmada de my nombre y refrendadademi ynfrascry}.to 
secretario. Fecha en Valladolid a catorce dias del mes de 
Abril de mill e quinientos y veinte y tres anos. — ^YO EL REY. 
Seiialada de Carvajal. — Refrendada de Cobos. 

From the Archivo de Indias, est. 139, leg. 1, caj. 6, lib. IX, 
fol. 120 : printed in Medina, op. cit., 56. 

XLVlA. 

The King. — Forasmuch as you, Stephen Gomez, our pilot, 
in order to do us service, have offered to go and discover East- 
ern Cathay, and to this end we have ordered a certain contract 
and agreement to be made with you, as is more fully set out in 
the same,^ and a& at present you have not asked any favour of 
me in reward and recompense of your labour, by these presents, 
in acknowledgment of the good will you have shown to do us 
service, and of the danger you are incurring in the said voyage, 
I state and promise on my royal word, that on your return 
from the said discovery at a seasonable time, I shall grant you 
the reward 'w'hich your services' deserve, in proof of which I 
ordered you to be given and gave you these presents signed with 
my name and countersigned by my undermentioned secretary. 
Done at Valladolid on the fourteenth day of April, 1523. T 
the King. Signed by Carvajal. Countersigned by Cobos. 

^ Vid. pp. 145-50 supra. 



154 CANADIAN AECIIIVES 

XLVII. 

14 April 1523. 

KOYAL OEDEE TO CHKISTOPHEE DE HAEO TO FIT OUT GOMEz's 

CARAVEL. 

EL KEY. — Cristobal de Haro, nuestro factor de la Casa 
de la Contratacion de la Sp''. Ya sabeys como conforme al 
asiento e capitulacion que mandamos tomar con Esteban Gomez, 
nuestro piloto, sobre el descubrimifento del Catayo Oriental, 
nos somos obligados de le dar una carabela de hasta cinquenta 
toneles, armada j bastecida por un ano que se hizo fundamento 
que podria costar hasta mill e quinientos ducados, j, como 
sabeys, despues se platico que nos pusiesemos dellos los sete- 
cientos y cinquenta ducados, porque lo demas restante de los 
dicbos mill e quinientos ducados lo ponyan mercaderes y arma- 
dores y otras personas que en la dicha armada querian contri- 
buyr; por ende, yo vos mando que luego entendays en proveer 
y armar la dicha carabela, conforme el dicho asyento e capitula- 
cion, y de qualesquier maravedis de vuestro cargo, gasteys en 
ella los dichos setecientos e cincuenta ducados de oro ; y porque, 
como sabeys, conviene que se parta con toda brevedad, porque 
no se detenga, vos mando que para en cuenta de los dichos 
setecientos y cincuenta ducados, has^ays dar de los bastimentos 
e bituallas que por nuestro mandado hacen en la Cormia, 
Erancisco Mexia y Bernaldino Melendez, lo que fuese menester 
para avituallar y bastecer la dicha carabela, y pues vos sabeys 
que cumple a nuestro servycio que la dicha carabela se parta 
con toda brevedad, vos mando y encargo que entendays en ello 
con mucha diligencia. De Valladolid a catorce de Abril de 
mill e quinientos y veinte y tres anos. — ^YO EL EEY. — Seiia- 
lada de Carvajal. — Refrendada de Cobos. 

From the Archivo de Indias, est. 139, leg. 1, caj. 6, lib. IX, 
fol. 121 : printed in Medina, op. cit., 53-4. 



XLVIIa. 

The King. — Christopher de Haro, our factor for the 
Spicery Trading-house. You have heard already how in con- 
formity with the contract and agreement which Ave ordered to be 



PRECUESORS OP CARTIER 155 

concluded with Stephen Gomez, our pilot, in regard to the dis- 
covery of Eastern Cathay, we are under obligation to give him 
a caravel of 50 tons' burthen, fittted out and provisioned for one 
year, which it was estimated might cost as much as 1,500 ducats ; 
and, as you are aAvare, it has since been agreed that we should fur- 
nish YSO of these ducats, since merchants and ship-owners and 
other persons who were desirous of contributing to the said ex- 
pedition were furnishing the remainder of the said 1,500 ducats ; 
wherefore I direct you to employ yourself at once in getting 
ready and fitting out the said caravel, in accordance with the 
said contract and agreement, and you are to expend the said 
750 gold ducats out of any funds whatever of your office; and 
since it is to our interest, as you are aware, that the departure 
take place as soon as possible, and that no delay occur, I com- 
mand you in payment of the said 750 ducats to take from the 
supplies and provisions which by our order Francis Mexia and 
Bernard Melendez are preparing at Corunna, whatever is neces- 
sary to provision and supply the said caravel, and since you 
know that it is in the interest of our service that the said caravel 
should leave as soon as possible, I command and charge you to 
employ yourself in this with much diligence. At Valladolid, 14 
April 1523. I the King: signed by Carvajal: coui]K;ersigned by 
Cobos. 



XLVIII. 

14 April 1523. 

ROYAL, ORDER TO THE SEA-COAST TOWNS TO AID IN THE CON- 
STRUCTION OF GOMEz's CARAVEL, 

EL REY. — E"uestro corregidor de las tres villas de la costa 
de la mar, e concejos, justicias, regidores, caballeros, hijosdalgo 
de las dichas tres villas de la costa de la mar, e a cada imo de 
V09 en vuestros lugaresi e jurediciones e a quien esta my carta 
fuere mostrada. Sabed que ITos abemos mandado a Esteban 
Gomez, nuestro piloto, que haga una carabela de porte de hasta 
cinquenta toneles para yr a cierto descubrimiento que el por 
nuestro mandado ha de hacer, la qual conviene a nuestro 
servycio que se haga y parta con toda brebedad; por ende, yo 
vos mando a todosv a cada uno de vos en vuestros lugares e 



156 CANADIAN AKCIIIVES 

jurediciones que deys e hagays dar al diclio Esteban Gomez toda 
la madera, clavazon e jarcias e todas las otras cosas que hobiere 
meuester para hacer y enxarciar la dicha carabela, pagando por 
ello lo que justamente valiere, e asjmysmo le bagais dar todos 
los maestros carpinteros, earafates e todo lo demas que obiere 
inenester para bacer la dicba carabela, pagandoles por ello su 
justo e debido salario, e en todo lo demas e que el diclio Esteban 
Gomez liobiere menester, le ayudeys e favorezcays como en cosa 
de nuestra servyeio. Dada en Valladolid a catorce dias del mes 
de Abril de mill e quinientos y viente e tres aiios. — ^YO EL 
KEY. — Senalada de Carvajal. — Kefrendada de Cobos. 

Erom tbe Arcbivo de Indias, est. 139, leg. 1, caj. 6, lib. IX, 
fol. 120\- printed in Medina, op. cit., 58-9. 



XLVIIIa. 

The King. — Our -corregidor of the Three Towns of the sea- 
coast,^ and councils, justices, aldermen, noblemen, hidalgos of 
the said Thi^ee Towns of the sea-coast, and to each of you in 
your stations and jurisdictions and to whom these letters of 
mine may be shown: Know that we have commanded Stephen 
Gomez, our pilot, to construct a caravel of the burthen of 50 
tons to go on a certain discovery which at our order he has to 
undertake, and it is in the interest of our service that this be 
carried out and a departure be made with all speed : wherefore 
I command all and each of you in your stations and jurisdic- 
tions to give and cause to be given to the said Stephen Gomez 
all the wood, nails and tackle and all else that may be necessary 
to construct and fit out the said caravel, paying for this 
whatever it may properly be worth, and likewise to cause him 
to be furnished with all the master carpenters, calkers and all 
the others who may be necessary for the construction of the said 
caravel, paying them for this their just and due salary, and in 
all else that the said Stephen Gomez may find necessary, to 
aid and assist him as in a matter pertaining to our service. 
Given in Valladolid on the fourteenth day of April, 1523. I 
the King: signed by Carvajal: countersigned by Cobos. 

1 Th'^se appear to have been Bei-meo, Bilbao and Dnrango. 



PRECURSORS OF C ARTIER 157 

XLIX. 

14 April 1523. 

ROYAL OUDER TO THE TOWNS OF BISCAY TO AID GOMEZ. 

EL HEY. — Concejos, justicias, regidores, caballeros y 
hijosdalgo de todas las cibdades, villas e lugares del nuestro 
noble y leal condado y seiiorio de Vizcaya, encartaeion e tierra 
liana, e a cada imo de vos en viiestros lugares e jurediciones a 
qnien esta my carta fuera inostrada. Sabed que nos hemos 
uiandado a Esteban Gomez, nuestro piloto, que liaga una cara- 
bela de porte de liasta cinquenta toneles para yr a cierto descu- 
brimiento que el por nuestro mandado ha de hacer, la qual con- 
viene a nuestro servycio que se haga y parta con toda brebedad ; 
por Glide, yo vos mando a todos e a cada uno de vos en vuestros 
lugares e jurediciones que deys e hagays dar al diclio Esteban 
Gomez toda la madera, clavazon, xarcias e todas las otras cosas 
que obiere menester para hacer enxarciar la diclia carabela, 
pagando por ello lo que justamente valiere, e asymysmo le 
hagays dar todo los maestros carpinteros, calafates e todo lo 
demas que obiere menester para hacer la dicha carabela, pagan- 
doles por ello sn justo e debido salario, e en todo lo demas 
e que el dicho Esteban Gomez hobiere menester, le ayudeys 
e favorezcays como en cosa de nuestro servycio. Eecha en 
Valladolid a catorce dies del mes de Abril de mill e quinientos 
y veinte e tres aiios. — ^YO EL EEY. — Eefrendada de Cobos. — 
Seiialada de Carvajal. 

Erom the Archivo de Tndias, est. 139, caj. 1. leg. 6, lib. TX. 
fol. 120"^: printed in Medina, op. cit., 59-60. 



XLIXa. 

The King. — Councils, justices, aldermen, noblemen and 
hidalgos of all the cities, towns and villages of our noble and 
loyal county and seigniory of Biscay, places adjoining and flat 
land, and to each of you in your stations and jurisdictions to 
whom these letters of mine may be shown, know that we have 
commanded Stephen Gomez, our pilot, to construct a caravel of 
50 tons' burthen to go on a certain discovery which he at our 
order has to undertake, and it is to the interest of our service 
that this be done and a departure be made with all speed: 



158 CANADIAN AECHIVES 

wherefore I command all and each of you in your stations and 
jurisdictions to give and to cause to be given to the said Stephen 
Gomez all the wood, nails, tackle and all the other things that 
may be necessary to fit out the said caravel, paying for this 
Avhatever it may propei"ly be worth, and likewise to cause 
him to be given all the master carpenters, calkers and all else 
that may be necessary for the construction of the said caravel, 
paying them for this their just and due salary, and in all else 
that the said Stephen Gomez may find necessary, to aid and 
assist him as in a matter pertaining to our service. Done in 
Valladolid on the fourteenth of April, 1523. I the King: 
signed by Cobos: countersigned by Carvajal. 

L. 

10 July 1523. 

UOYAL ORDER FOR THE PAYMENT TO GOMEZ OF TWO HUNDRED 

DUCATS. 

EL KEY. — l^uestros Oficiales que residis en la cibdad de 
Sevilla, en la Casa de la Contratacion de las Indias. Porque 
yo he mandado a Esteban Gomez, nuestro piloto desa Casa, que 
vaya en una nuestra carabela a cierto descubrimyento, y con- 
forme a cierto asiento que con el sobre ello mande tomar, yo soy 
obligado a le mandar pagar dozientos ducados adelantados del 
salario que de nos tiene para se aderezar y poneren la dicha 
carabela y armazon : por ende, yo vos mando que en cuenta del 
salario que de nos tiene asentado en esa Casa, como dicho es, 
deys e pagueys al dicho Esteban Gomez 6 a quien su poder 
obiere, los dichos dozientos diicados adelantados, los quales vos 
mando que le vays descontando del primer salario que hobiere 
de haber, e no fagades ende al. Fecho en Valladolid a diez 
dias del mes de Julio de mill e quinientos e viente e tres anos. — 
Refrendada de Cobos. — Senalada de Carvajal y Beltran. 

From the Archive de Indias, est. 139, leg. 1, caj. 6, lib. IX^ 
fol. 1Y6 : printed in Medina, op. cit., 54-55. 

La. 

The King. — Our officers who reside at the Indian Counting- 
house in the city of Seville.^ Forasmuch as I have commanded 
Stephen Gomez, our pilot of this House, to go on a certain dis- 

1 Cf. Report of the American Historical Association for 1894, pp. 93-123, 
Washington, 1895. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER . 15g 

eovery in a caravel of ours, and in conformity with a certain 
agreement that I ordered to be made with him in this matter, 
I am obliged to direct that 200 ducats be paid to him in advance 
out of the salary he receives from us, in order that he may 
make his preparations and set about fitting out the said caravel ; 
Avherefore, I order you, out of the salary he receives from us in 
this House, as already stated, to give and pay in advance to the 
said Stephen Gomez or to his attorney the said 200 ducats, 
which I direct you to deduct from the first wages due to him, 
and do not do the contrary. Done at Valladolid on the tenth 
day of the month of July, 1523. Countersigned by Cobos: 
signed by Carvajal and Beltran. 



LT. 

21 August 1523. 

LA ROCHELLE VESSELS AT NEWFOUNDIiAND. 

Personellement estably Jehan Le Moyne, lequel a cons- 
titue ses procureurs Jacques Heme' et Thomas Mannoury, de 
Marennes^, et chascun d'eulx pour le tout, en forme de plaidoirie 
et pouvoir especial de proceder et recevoir de Yvon Le Fleu- 
chier, dit Piedecerf, maistre du navire nomme La Marie du 
Croisic, le droict des vitailles que ledit Le Moyne luy a bail- 
lees, comme appert par obligation passee par Jehan Mosnier, le 
xvii® de juing derrier passe, du tout en apoincter, etc. En 
oultre de recevoir sa quotite des moulues, huilles, gaings et 
proufiits des navires qu'il a aydez a avitailler pour aller a la 
Terre !N"eufve, et d'en bailher quictances. Faict en presences de 
Pierre Le Geret, Jehan Quynault et Loys Ayrault, clercs, les 
jour et an susdits.* 

From the Archives departementales de la Charente-Infe- 
rieure at La Eochelle, brouillon des minutes de Jacques 
Hemon, notaire, fol. 48 : unpublished. Attention was first 
dra^vn to these papers by Monsieur Musset in his essay on Les 
Rochelais a Terre-Neuve in the Bulletin de geographie his- 
torique et descriptive^ Paris, 1892 ; reprinted at La Rochelle, 
1899, pp. 29-30. 

^ Or Herve. 

2 A town near Rochefort. - 

3 The date of the preceding document is 21 August, 1523. 



160 ^. CANADIAiSr ARCHIVES 

LII. 

15 September, 1523. 

THE ' CATHERINE ' OF BINIC^ THE ' MARGUERITE ' OF PORNIC 
AND OTHER VESSELS AT NEWFOUNDLAND. 

Personnellement establiz Pierre Jourdain, le jeune, mar- 
chant et bourgeojs de La Rochelle, tant en son nom^ [q^^e]" 
comme soy faisant et portant fort pour Andre Morisson, son 
parsonnier, a constitue leurs procureurs generaulx, honorables 

et sages, discretes, etc ^ Et ledit Denibanlt et chasenn 

d'eulx en forme de plaidoyrie, et par especial ledit Jourdain, 
pour luy et pour ledit Morisson, sondit parsonnier, a donne auc- 
torite et puissance, ayde et bailh de prandre et recevoir leur 
droit, part et portion de la pesche, huilles, gaings et prouffictz 
que ont f aict Michel Tredieu, maistre empres Dieu de La Cath- 
erine de Benic en Bretaigne, et ses compaignons, en le voiaige 
de la Terre ISTeuf ve ; a quoy lesdits Jourdain et Morisson estoi- 
ent associez, selon la chartre partie passee entre eulx par mesme 
notaire que sont ces presentes, le xiiii® jour d'apvril dernier 
passe ; Et aussi de recevoir de Guillaume Le Gludic, maistre de 
La Marguerite de Fornix et de tous aultres maistres de navires 
et leurs compaignons, puydavant frectez par lesdicts Jordan et 
Morisson pour aller a la pesche de la Terre l^eufve, leur droict 
et cotite des pesches, huilles, gaings et prouffictz qu'ilz ont faicts 
en leurs voiages de la Terre ITeufve, selon qu'ilz estoient asso- 
siez par lesditz maistres de navire, selon les chartres parties 
sur ce f aictes et passees auparavant ; Et aussi de recevoir desdits 
maistres de navires et de leurs compaignons toutes et chascunes 
les moullues que leur out vendues auparavant leur partade* ; Et 
aussi de recevoir desdictz maistres de navires toutes et chascunes 
les pieces d'artillerie et munitions de guerre que lesdits Jour- 
dain et Morisson baillerent auxdits maistres de navires et com- 
paigTions d'eulx, pour eulx deffendre en leurdit voiage. Et des- 
dits pesches, huilles, gaings, prouffictz, moullues et poissons ven- 
duez par lesdits maistres, lesdits Jourdain et Morisson, en- 
semble desdites artillerie et munitions de guerre, en donner et 
octroyer par ledit Thebault, procureur susdict, auxdicts maistres 
de navires et aultres qu'il apartiendra, quictances bonnes et 

^ The M'ords et Durant Buchet were first (vritten here and then erased 
for tant en son nam. 

-• Omitted in the MS. 

3 Blank in the MS. 

4 Or partance. 



rRECUKSOBS OF CARTTKl! 161 

valables; Et faire en tout et partout comme lesdits Joiirdain 
et Morisson feroient faire, pouroient et devroient, si presens en 
leurs propres personnes j estoient pardevants le jure, juge, etc. 
Faict en La Rockelle es presences de Jehan Joubert, dit filz de 
maistre, et Bastien Roy, clerc, le xv™^ jour de septembre, I'an 
MV'XXIII^ 

From the Archives departementales of the Charente-Infe- 
rieure, minutes of Hemon, fols. 68"'-69 : unpublished. 

LIII. 

15 October, 1523. 

THE ' MAEGUERITE "" OF BLAVET AT NEWFOUNDLAND. 

Personnellement establiz Jehan Boisseau, marchant et 
bourgeois de La Rochelle, lequel a constitue ses procureurs 

^ Frangoys Pigault, son facteur, ou I'ung d'eulx pour 

le tout, en forme de plaidoirie, et par especialement auctorite et 
puyssance audit Pingault, de demander, prandre et recevoir de 
Allain FeuUagat, maistre empres Dieu du navire nomme La 
Margaritte de Blavet, et des compaignons et maryniers et 
autres qu'il appartiendra, tout le droict qui appartient audit 
Boeceau, consistant en la pesche, moulues, huilles, gaing et 
prouffict que ledit Feullagat et ses compaignons ont faict ceste 
presente annee en leur voiaige de la Terre Neufve, que ledit 
Boeceau et Jehan Lemoyne, aussi marchand et bourgeois en La 
Rochelle, avoient f rete pour aller a la pesche a la Terre Neufve, 
et le tout scellon I'assocyation, en quoy ledit Fellagat assocya 
lesdits Boesseau et Le Moyne par leurs chartres parties passees 
entre eulx, par mesme notaire que sont ces presentes, le xxvi® 
jour de mars derrier passe. Et oultre, ledit constituant a donne 
auctorite et puyssance audit Pigault, sondit facteur, de recevoir 
dudit Fellagat sa moytie de deux milliers et troys carts de mil- 
lier de moulues, dont est fete mencion en ladite chartre partie, 
Et aussy sa moictie ele demy millier de moulues, que ledit Fel- 
lagat a promis leur vandre, comme appert par lettres passees 
par mesme notaire que sont ces presentes, le derrier jour de mar.'= 
aussi derrier passe. Et outre a donne puyssance audit Pigault 
de citer, assigner et appoincter avecques ledit Feullagat, Yvon 
Crever, contremaistre dudit navire et ses plaidgants ou I'un 

^ On the margin is written: " Nota que ledit Jourdain a consenti 
qu'il soyt faict plusiers pouvoirs en forme de plaidoiries." 
2 Planlr in the MS. 
4473—11 



102 CAXADIAX ARCIIIVKS 

d'eux sellon bon et vallable forme, etc. Faict es presences de 
i^Tjcolas Pocheaii et Bastien Ro}^, le xv^ jour d'octobre, I'an 
mil cinq ceus XXIII. 

From the Archives departmeutales of the Charente-Infe- 
rieure, minutes of Hemon, notaire, foL 105^: unpublished. 



LIV. 

22 October, 1523. 

TPIE ' MARGUERITE " OF ST. BRIEUC AT jSTEWFOUNDLAND. 

Personnellement establiz Jehan Tredian, maistre empres 
Dieu de La Marguerite de Saint Brieux, lequel a promis a Yvon 
Bonsoul, Estienne Lauret et Gilles Galvan, comjDaignons et 
mariniers dudit navire, stippulans et acceptans pour eulx ot 
leurs compaignons absens, de leur garder et rendre leur tierce 
partie de la pesche, huilles, gaings et prouffictz qu'ilz ont faict 
en leur voiaige de la Terre Xeufve, selon le cours de la mer, et 
leur garder leurs droicts et prouffictz, comme s'ilz j estoient en 
leurs propres personnes, Et ad ce f ayre et accomi^lir et ad oultre 
ledit coraparant a engaige ses biens pour faire, etc. Faict en La 
Roehelle, en presence de Lambert Bardet, Mathurin Marteau 
et Bastien Roy, le xxii^ jour d'octobre VXXIII. 

From the Archives departementales of the Charente-Infe- 
rieure, minutes of Hemon, notaire, fol. 118^: unpublished. 



LV. 

January, 1524. 

K^OTICE OF THE CAPTURE OF A FRENCH VESSEL RETURNING FROM: 
NEWFOUNDLAND. 

List of Capt. Christ. Coo's 'Prizes. 

(1) 
Memorandum that here folowith all suche prisis as Christo- 
fer Coo have taken uppon the see syns my departure out of the 
Temys, that was the xxiii^'^ day of January in the xiii yere 
of kynge Henry the "N^IIl^'^ [1522] unto my present tyme and 
dey of my discharge out of the kynges wages 



PBECUKSOKS OF CARTIER 163 

In the hynges handes. 

Item taken in tlie Cost of ISTormandy a shipp of Rouen w* 
xi men laden w* new fownd londe fysclie, containing ix 
thousand, delyvered to William Couston prised at £120. 

(3J 

Here after ensewith all suclie charges as Christofer Coo 
have sustayned at his proper costes and charge to serve the 
kynge in his wares 

Item the said Christopher demandeth for the helynge and 
kepynge of xvi men hort at the wynnyng of the new fownde 
londe men at ii cronys the pies, £6 xviiis. 

From the Public Record Office, Letters and Papers of 
Henry VIII., vol. 30, pp. 96 and 98. Cf. Calendar, Vol. IV, 
pt I, IsTo. 83 (1) and (3). 

LVI. 

6 February 1527. 

A BAYONNE VESSEL FOR NEWFOUNDLAND. 

A Vous, Tres Honnorables Seinhors, Messeinhors Los Loc- 
tenent, Esclevins et Conseilh de la Ciutat de Bayonne: 

Supplicque tres-humblement Berthomyu de Montauser, 
vesin de le presente ciutat, disen que ed a affreytat son nabiu 
per anar au plaser de Diu a les Terres jSTabes, a le pesque, Et 
cum sie ainchi, que per far lodit viadge sien vesoinh plusors 
causes, es neccessary enter autres aver vingt et quoate pippes de 
pomades, lesquoaus lodit supplicant a au pays de Seinhanxs, et 
les volere far mectre fens sondit nabiu, si a vous, avanditz sein- 
hors, plagosse, o bien les vingt pippes et en prendre quoate 
pippes de le presente ciutat, Et de en prendre daventadge no 
luy es possible per cause que lodit supplicant no a punt d'argent, 
si autrementz far lo volossetz constreinhe, lodit supplicant 
avre a sercar argent au camby, que sere en son grand prejudice 
et dommadge. So considerat, lodit supplicant vous pregue, sup- 
plicque et requer a vous, avanditz seinhors, luy donnar liccenci 
et permission de poder prendre lesdites vingt et quoate pippes 
de pomades en le maneyre susdite, Et en so fasen feratz bien, 
et lodit supplicant sera tingud pregar Diu per vostres nobles 
estemens. 

4473— llj 



164 CANADIAN AECHIVES 

Viste le i^resente requeste, ordennat es estat que lodit sup- 
plicant [prenera]' los dus ters de sa provision de le pomade de 
le franquesse avant que lo nabiu parti deu port, et so feyt se 
retirera devert monseinhor lo Loctenent qui visitera o fera visi- 
tar ledite pomade, et ampres lodit supplicant pojra cargar lo 
restant. Feyt en conseilh, lo chiseme de fevrer, mil cinq cens 
vingt et chieis. 

DAYMAE, greffier. 

From the Archives Municipales de Bayonne, Serie BB 6, 
fols. 641-2 : printed in Archives municipales de Bayonne, De- 
liberations du Corps de Ville, Registres gascons, II, 461-2. 

LVIa. 

To You Most Honourable Sirs, Messrs, the Lieutenant, 
Sheriffs and Council of the city of Bayonne: 

Bartholomew de Montauser, citizen of the present city, 
makes very humble petition, setting forth how he has loaded 
his ship to go, at God's pleasure, to ^Newfoundland for fish, and 
this being so, in order fo undertake the said voyage several 
things are wanting. Among others it is necessary to have 
twenty-four butts of cider, which the said petitioner possesses at 
Seinhanxs^, and he would like to have them put on board his said 
vessel if you, Sirs aforesaid, are willing; or even twenty butts, 
and to take four butts from the present city ; and it is not pos- 
sible for him to take more for the reason that the said petitioner 
has no money; or if you should wish to force him to do other- 
wise, the said petitioner would have to procure money on 
change, Avhich would be to his prejudice and harm. In conside- 
ration of which the said supplicant begs, petitions and asks you. 
Sirs aforesaid, to grant him licence and permission to be 
allowed to take the said twenty-four butts of cider in the manner 
aforesaid ; and in doing this you will be doing well, and the said 
petitioner will be under obligation to pray God for your noble 
estates. 

The present request having been read, it has been ordered 
that the said petitioner [take] two-thirds of his cider from that 
free from duty, before the ship leaves port, and this done, he 
shall come before My Lord the Lieutenant who will examine or 
cause the said cider to be examined : and afterwards the said 

1 Omitted in the MS. 
- Perhaps C^nac. 



PEECUKSOKS OF CARTIER 165 

petitioner will be allowed to load the rest. Done in council the 
sixth of February one thousand five hundred and twenty-six 
(1527 n. St.). 

DAYMAK, clerk. 



LVII. 

iN'ovember 1527. 

AN ENGLISH EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 

La rrelacion que se ovo de la nao ynglesa quando estovo en la 
ysla de la Mona^ que venia de camino para la ysla espaiiola. 

Questando el martes pasado, que se contaron diez e nueve 
dias deste presente mes de novienbre, cargando la dicha caravela 
de cagabe, allege una nao de dosyentos e ginquenta toneles de 
porte, de tres gavias, e creyendo que hera nao despaiia, salio con 
su batel a ella, y ellos salieron con una pinaga que trayan, que 
bogava veynte e cinco 6 treynta rremos, e venian en ella fasta 
veynte ginco honbres con el maestre de la dicha nao, el qual 
venia por maestre y capitan, e todos venian armados de cose- 
letes y arcos e frechas y algunos ballestas, e dos lonbardas en 
la proa con sus mecheros encendidos ; los quales llegados a ellos, 
el les pregunto, de que tierra eran? E dixeronle que heran 
yngleses de dentro de la cibdad de Londres, y que la nao era del 
rrey de Ynglaterra. Preguntoles, que venian a buscar en estas 
partes ? Dixeronle quel rrey avia armado aquella nao y otra para 
yr a descubrir la tierra del Gran Can, y que yendo, les dio 
un tenporal en el camino, que se perdio la una de la 
otra, por manera que nunca mas la habia visto, 
e que ellos siguieron su viaje e dieron en un mar 
elado, e que hallavan yslas grandes de yelo, e no 
pudiendo por alii pasar, tomaron otra derrota e dieron en otra 
mar caliente como una caldera quando hierve con agua; e por 
miedo que aquella agua no les derrtiesra la pez de la nao, se 
bolvieron e vinyeron a Eeconoscer a los Vacallaos, donde halla- 
ron bien cinquenta naos, castellanas y francesas e portuguesas, 
pescando, e que alii quisieron salir en tierra por tomar lengua 
de los yndios, e saliendo en tierra, les mataron los yndios al 
piloto, el qual dixeron que hera piamontes de nagion ; e de alii 
partieron, e vinieron la costa de la tierra nueva, don de fue a pob- 

1 Th<! island of Mona lies half way between San Domingo and Porto 
Rioo, about thirty miles from each. 



166 CANADIAN AKCHIVES 

lar A^llon, qiiatro cientas leguas y mas, e de alii atvavesaron e 
vinieron a reconocer a esta jsla de San Juan ; e pregiintolea que 
que buscavan en estas ystas ? E dixeronle que querian ver estas 
yslas para dar Ragon dellas al rrey de Ynglaterra, e vistas, car- 
gar de brasyl e bolverse; e preguntaroii por la derrota de Santo 
Domingo, e jior el puerto e quien governaba la ysla ; que querian 
yr alia a bella ; y el se lo dixo todo. Ellos lo pusyeron por memo- 
ria ; y el maestre de la nao ynglesa rrogo al Gines ^Navarro, que 
fuese a ver su nao, el qual fue e la vido toda ; e que no traya en 
ella otra eosa sync vino e harina e cosas de provisyon, y algunas 
cosas de rrescate de panes y liengos y otras cosas, y mucha 
artilleria e buena ; e que traen carpinteros e herreros e f ragua y 
otros oficiales, y aparejo de hazer otros navios, sy tuviesen dello 
necesydad, e un horno donde cuezan pan; e que toda la gente 
que en la nao venia, quel vido, serian f asta sesenta personas ; 
dize que el maestre de la nao le pregunto, sy sabia leer en latin 
en romance, por que le queria mostrar la ynstrugion que traya 
del rrey de Ynglaterra ; e como no sabia leer, no la vido ; e quel 
maestre e fasta veynte e cinco o treynta onbres salieron en tierra 
en la Mona, y estuvieron alii fasta el miercoles en la tarde, e 
salieron todos armados, que se enbarcaron para Santo Domingo ; 
y que el juebes de maiiana tiraron dos tiros de lonbarda e toca- 
ron una tronpeta bastarda que trayan, e se hizieron a la vela e 
f ueron la via de Santo Domingo fasta que los perdieron de vista ; 
y el dicho Gines ISTavarro estobo en la Mona hasta el viernes que 
se vino a esta ysla. 

Este treslado se saco del original que se ynbio a esta Real 
abdiencia de la ysla de San Juan, la quel se ovo de un maestre de 
una caravela questava en la ysla de la Mona al tiempo que la 
nao ynglesa paso por alii de camino para este puerto de Santo 
Domingo. = Diego Cavallo. 

Endorsed: En Madrid xi de Margo de 1528. 

Erom the Archive de Indias at Seville, Patronato, est. 2, caj. 
5 leg. y2o- printed in the Coleccion de Documentos inedUos . 
relativos al Descubrimiento, Conquista y Organizacion de las 
antiguas Poseslones espanolas, etc. 1st series, XXXVII, 456-8. 
Madrid, 1882 ; ibid. 2nd series, IV, No. 120, pp. 57-60. 



PRECURSORS or CARTIER 107 

LVIIa. 

The Statement obtained from the English ship ivhen at the 
Island of Mona on her ivay to Hispaniola\ 

That while he [Gines Navarro] was loading the said caravel 
with cassava, last Tuesday, the nineteenth of the present month 
of iNovember, there arrived a vessel of 250 tons' burden-, and 
three main-tops ; and taking her for a ship from Spain, he went 
towards her in his boat. And they came off in their pinnace 
manned by 25 or 30 men with as many as 25 men in the boat 
and the captain of the said ship in command. All were armed 
with corselets, bows and arrows and some cross-bows ; and in the 
bow were two lombards, the matches of which were alight. 

On reaching them, he inquired from what country they 
came ? They answered they were Englishmen from the city of 
London, and that the vessel belonged to the king of England. 
He asked them what they had come to look for in those parts ? 
They told him the king had fitted out that vessel and another 
to go and discover the land of the Great Khan, but that on the 
way, they met with a storm, during which they lost sight of 
their consort and had never seen her again. They held on their 
course and reached the frozen sea where they met large islands 
of ice. Being unable to pass that way, they altered their course 
but ran into a sea as hot as water in a boiler. For fear lest 
that water sliould melt the pitch of their vessel, they turned 
about and came to explore ^Newfoundland, where they found 
some 50 Spanish, French and Portuguese fishing-vessels. They 
desired to land there in order to have tidings of the Indians, but 
on reaching the shore the Indians killed the pilot, who they said 
was a Piedmontese by birth. Setting sail thence they made 
their way for some 400 leagues and more along the coast of the 
new land where Allyon took his colony.'^ Thence they crossed 
over and came to explore the island of St. John."* 

He asked them what they were looking for in these islands ? 
They answered that they wished to examine them in order to 
give the king of England an account thereof: Avhen they had 
explored them, they would take a load of Brazil-wood and re- 
turn home. They inquired for the course to San Domingo and 
about the harbour there, and who was in charge of the island, 
as they wished to go and examine it. He told them everything 
and they made a note of the same. 

' Haiti. Cf. p. 165. note 1. for La Mona. 

* The Mary Guildford's tonnage wns 160. 

'Cf. Winsor's Narrative and Critical History of America, II, 238-212. 

* Porto Rico. 



168 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

The captain of the English ship invited Gines Navarro to 
come on board; which he did and was shown all over it. She 
had only wine, flour and provisions, Avith some clothes, linen 
goods and otlier articles for barter, and much good artillery. 
There were also carpenters, smiths and a forge, other artisans, 
tools to build more vessels in case of necessity and an oven for 
baking bread. The whole ship's company that he saw would 
number as many as 70 people. He states that the captain asked 
him if he could read Latin or Spanish: for he wished to show 
him the orders he brought from the king of England. Since he 
was unable to read, he did not see them. 

The captain and some 25 or 30 men went ashore at Mona 
and remained there until Wednesday afternoon. All came 
armed. They went on board for San Domingo, and on Thurs- 
day morning shot off two lombards and blew a trumpet and set 
sail in the direction of San Domingo, until they Avere out of 
sight. 

The said Gines ITavarro remained at Mona until Friday, 
when he came to this island. 

This copy was taken from the original that was sent to the 
royal Audiencia of St. John's island, which was obtained from 
the captain of a caravel that lay at Mona island when the Eng- 
lish ship passed by on her way to this harbour of San Domingo : 
Diego Cavallo. 

Endorsed: Madrid,' 11 March, 1528. 



LVIII. 

26 November, ( .g^^ 
8 December, j 

THE ENGLISH EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 

Probanzas fechas en Santo Domingo, con motivo, de la arrihada 
de una nave ynglesa. 

En la cibdad de Santo Domingo, martes, nona, veynte e seys 
dias del mes de novienbre de mill e quinientos e veynte e syete 
anos, estando en las casas de la Contratacion los senores lygen- 
ciados Xptoval Lebron e Alonso Cuago, oydores del abdiencia 
6 chancylleria de Su Magestad, en presencia de my, Diego Cav- 
allo, secretario de la dicha Eeal abdyoncia, sus mercedes dix- 
eron: que por quanto ayer lunes en la tarde avia llegado a la 
boca de este Rio e puerto un nao grande de tress gavias del Rey 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 169 

de Yiiglaterra, y el patron della con diez o doze marineros avia 
venido en un batel a tierra, e les avia fecho rrelagion, como la 
dicha nao liera del dicho Key de Ynglaterra, e quella e otra nao 
juntamente avian salido, podia aver nueve messes, de Ynglaterra 
per mandado de su Key para hazer cierto descubrimiento por 
la vanda del norte entre la tierra del Labrador e los Bacallaos, 
creyendo por alii liallar estrecho para pasar a descubryr la Tar- 
taria, e que avian navegado tanto que se avian metido debaxo 
del nort cinquenta e tantos grados, adonde de frio se le avia 
muerto cierta gente, e niuerto el piloto, e perdido uno de los 
dichos navyos, a cuya cabssa avian venido a esta tierra para ser 
socorridos de agua e mantenimientos e otras cossas, de que tenia 
nescesydad, e les avia pedido seguro para entrar en este puerto ; 
6 quellos en nombre de Su Magestad los avian asegurido, e avian 
enbiado con ellos a la nao a Diego Mendez, alguazil mayor desta 
ysla, Francisco Martin e a Pedro de Montes, pilotos, para que 
metiessen la dicha nao en este puerto ; e que por ser ayer easy 
noche, no la pudieron meter en el puerto hasta oy diclio dia, de 
maiiana, a las diez oras antes de medio dia, que la dicha nao 
surgio a la boca del Rio para de alii se entrar avando a cabssa 
del viento norte que hazia ; e questando la dicha nao surta, an 
sydo ynformados, e asy es notorio, que de la fortaleza desta cib- 
dad se le tiro un tiro de lonbarda con un piedra que passo junto 
con la dicha nao, de cuya cabssa la dicha nao yncontinente se 
hizo a la vela e se va la via de Castilla, etc 

En la noble cibdad de Santo Domingo del puerto desta ysla 
espanola de las Yndias del mar ogiano, ocho dias del mes de 
dyzienbre, ano del nascymiento de nuestro salbador Jesu Cristo, 
de mill e quinientos e veynte e syete anos, ante el muy noble 
senor Lope de Bardeca, teniente de Gobernador en esta diclia 
cibdad e ysla espaiiola, por el yllustre e muy manifico senor Don 
Luys Colon, Almirante, VisoRey e Governador en estas partes 
por Su Magestad ; y en presengia de mi, Gonzalo Gomez, escri- 
bano de Su Magestad e del abdiengia e juzgado del dicho Senor 
teniente, paresgio presente Joan Ximenez, Procurador de cabsas, 
e vezino desta dicha cibdad, en boz e en nombre de Prancisco de 
Tapia, alcayde de la fortaleza e bezino e Regidor desta cibdad, e 
por virtud del poder que del presento junto con un escripto de 
pedimento, e con ciertas preguntas al pie del quo, uuo en pos 
dotro, es este que se sigue : 

Muy noble Senor : 

Francisco de Tapia, alcayde por Su Magestad de la fortaleza 
de Santo Domingo, paresce ante vuestra merced e digo: quel el 



170 CANADIAN AKCIIIVKS 

limes proximo pasado llego al puerto desta cibdad una nao de 
Yiigalaterra de armada; e yo enbie al Ligenciado Lebron e al 
liceneiado Cuago, oydores que a la sazon eran, a les dezir que 
me liyziesen saber, sy dexarian entrar la nao o no, Los quales me 
respondyeron que me lo harian saber; la qual respuesta jamas 
me enbiaron ; e otro dia por la manana entro la nao a anclear, y 
querian entrar en el puerto ; e como yo tenga la fortaleza para 
la guarda del, por saber como venia, le tyre un tiro de artilleria 
pequeiio a Redrado de la diclia nao, para que liiziese seiia, como 
es costumbre. La qual nao se fue ; e porque cerca de lo susodicho, 
e de lo que en razon dello sugedio, yo tengo nescesidad de liazer 
una ynformacion ad perpetua Rey memoria, para la presentar 
ante Su Magestad e su muy alto Consejo, porque sepa e sea 
ynformado de lo que pasa, pido a vuestra merced mande desa- 
minar los testigos que por mi parte fueren presentados, e me 
mande dar sus dichos e depusyciones, de manera que haga fee, 
cerrados e sellados, para qualquier parte e ante quien presentare 
la diclia probanga ; los quales pido que sean desaminados por las 
preguntas syguientes : Primeramente, &c . . . . ' 

XV (sic) Yten: Si saben &c. que al tiempo que el dicho 
capitan e maestro e gente de la diclia nao ynglesa llego a esta 
dicka cibdad e puerto, venian dysciendo e publicando quella 
avia salido de Yngalaterra de armada, a descubrir cierto 
estrecho hazia la banda del norte, e que por falta de piloto, que 
se le avian muerto, venian a esta diclia ysla, en demanda del, e 
no por otra cosa ? 

E despues de lo susodicho, este dicho dia e nies e ano suso- 
dicho, ante mi, el dicho Escribano, paresgio presente el dicho 
Tuan Ximenez en el dicho nombre, e present© por testigos en la 
dicha cabsa a el ligengiado Francisco de Prado e a Alonso 
d'Avila, vezino e regidor de esta dicha Cibdad, e a Diego Mar- 
tel e a Juan Gargia, cavallero, todos vezinos de la dicha cibdad, 
e a Juan de Loaysa, estantes en ella ; de los quales, e de cada 
uno dellos, yo, el dicho escribano, tome e resgibi juramento sobre 
una seiial de la cruz en que pusyeron su mano derecha, corf>or- 
almente, e por Dyos e por Santa Maria, e por las palabras de los 
Sagrados Evangelios, do quiera que mas largamente estan escrip- 
tas segund forma de derecho, so virtud del qual prometieron de 
dezir verdad ; e lo que ellos e cada uno dellos dixeron e depusy- 
eron, secreta e apai'tadamente, syendo preguntados por las pre- 
guntas del dicho ynterrogatorio, es lo syguiente : 

Testigo. — El dicho Francisco de Prado, vezino desta cib- 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 171 

ciad, testigo presontado eu ]a dicha Razcai por parte del dlclio 
Francisco de Tapia, Alcayde, aviendo jurado seguiid dereclio, 
e syendo preguntado por el tenor de las dichas pregiintas, dixo 
e depuso lo syguiente : 

A la primera pregiinta, dixo, etc 

A las catorze (sic) preguntas dixo : Queste testigo oyo dezir 
todo lo contenido en la dicha pregunta pnblicamente que en esta 
dicha cibdad a todos los que hablaban en ello e lo avian hoydo 
al dicho cajjitan e maestre ; e que a parescer deste testigo e a lo 
que puede alcangar, segund que vinieron a dar en este puerto 
que esta tan escondido en estas yslas, debia la dicha uao traer 
piloto, que lo sabia muy byen ; e asi parescio quando venian de 
alta mar en demanda del dicho puerto, e aun quando se volvian, 
porque navegan la costa como personas que la sabian 

Testigo. — El dicho Alonso d'Avila, vezino e Regidor desta 
cibdad, etc 

A las catorze preguntas, dixo: Que lo que desta pregunta 
sabe, es que este testigo oyo dezir al patron de la dicha nao, 
estando en tierra, que aquella nao e otra que en su conserba 
avia venido, que se avia perdido, avian salido por mandado del 
Rey de Yngalaterra en demanda de un estrecho hazia la banda 
del norte, e que por falta del piloto que trayan, que se lo avian 
muerto en una tierra donde avian tocado, venian a esta ysla 
para ser ynformados de la navegagion para volver a su tierra ; 
que tyene este testigo por cierto por lo que ha oydo dezir a 
onbres que saben del arte de la mar, que con mucho difycultad 
bolbiera la dicha nao a su tierra que no venir a esta ysla, desde 
donde dixo el dicho patron que venia ; e que segund la nabega- 
Cion la dicha nao hizo para tomar este puerto, que- a este testigo 
paresgio que dentro venia persona que la sabia bien encaminar. . 

Testigo. — El dicho Diego Martel, vezino desta dicha cibdad, 
etc 

A las catorze preguntas, dixo: Que lo que della sabe, es 
que la noche que pasaron los dichos dos marineros en casa deste 
testigo, queriendose este testigo ynformar de su venida, les pre- 
gunto que como avian arribado a este puerto, estando en mejor 
paraje de donde avian partido para yr a su tierra, que no para 
v^enir a este puerto ? Los quales rrespondieron a este testigo, que 
el Rey de Yngalaterra los avia enbiado con dos naos a descobrir 
cierto estrecho que estaba a la banda de la Noruega. de donde 
ellos avian partido ; y que como navegaron tanto hasta meterse 
sesenta e quatro grados debaxo del norte, por ser ynvierno como 
era, avian hallado toda la tierra elada, y que hazia tanto frio, 



172 CAJ<AD1AN ARCMIVKS 

que de frio se avian muerto quatro o cinco onbres de la nao ; por 
manera que acordaron de venir a tierra caliente, e que por esto 
e porque se les avian muerto el piloto, era su venida e yntento 
de vender giertas mercaderias de panos e liengos quen la nao 
traya, e tomar un onbre diestro en la mar, que los llevase a 
Yngalaterra ; e questo es lo que los dichos dos onbres a este tes- 
tigo dixeron, e que tiene por cierto que la nao no vyniera a este 
puerto si no fuera quen ella vyniera ombre que supiera la nave- 
gagion para traellos a este dicho puerto 

Testigo. — El dicho Juan Garcia, caballero, vezino desta 
dicha cibdad, etc 

A las catorze preguntas, dixo: Queste testigo oyo dezir lo 
en ella contenido en esta cibdad a algunas personas, e queste 
testigo cree que la dicha nao traya, a lo que le paresge, piloto 
despana o yngles que oviese estado en estas partes 

Testigo. — El dicho Juan de Loaysa, estante en esta dicha 
cibdad, etc 

A las catorze preguntas, dixo : Que al dicho patron f ab- 
lando con el dicho lycenciado Cuago, le oyo dar la razon con- 
tenida en la pregunta, de su navegacion, e que le avian muerto 
el piloto en. la tierra nueva con otros honbres, e que despues se 
creya e tuvo por cierto ser el contenido segund las mercanciaa 
que facia la dicha nao 

Despues de lo susodicho, en la dicha cibdad de Santo Do- 
mingo, nueve dias del dicho mes de diziembre e del dicho aiio, 
en presencia de mi, el dicho Escribano, parescio presente el 
dicho Juan Ximenez en el dicho nombre, e presento por testigo 
en la dicha razon a Francisco Merchant, estante en la dicha cib- 
dad, el qual juro en forma debida de derecho, e siendo pregun- 
tado por el thenor de las dichas preguntas, dixo e depuso lo 
siguiente : 

A las catorze preguntas, dixo : Questaudo en el Coco este 
testigo, vino alii una pynaca con diez o doze onbres yngleses, la 
qual venia en la dicha nao, e que luego que los dichos ombres 
saltaron en tierra, preguntaron a este testigo, que como estaba 
esta cibdad de Santiago ? E este testigo les dixo questaba muy 
buena ; e les pregunto que que gente heran ? Los quales rrespon- 
dieron queran yngleses, e que la nao era ynglesa del Rey de 
Yngalaterra, que venia cargada de parios e de liengos, e que 
avian ydo a tierra ISTueva e que hallaron la tierra muy baxa, e 
que los pilotos quen ella venian, que eran los mejores que avian 
venido aca, los avian travdo a esta cibdad do Santo Dominffo. 



aaixavo ao saosanoaa<i 173 

E questo era quando la dicha nao venia hazia esta cibdad; e 
queste testigo les dyo cierto pescado fresco que tenia, para que 
comiesen; e luego se tornaron a meter en su piuaga e se 
vjnieron hazia esta cibad, etc 

From the Archivo de Indias at Seville, Audiencia de Santo 
Domingo, est. 53, cajon 1°, leg. 9; printed in the Coleccion de 
Documentos 'inedUos relativos al Descuhrimiento, etc., 1st ser 
XL, 305-54. 



LVIIIa. 

Evidence taken at San Domingo owing to the Arrival of ary 
English Vessel. 
In the city of San Domingo at three o'clock on Tuesday the 
26th day of the month of N^ovember 1527, Messrs. the licenti- 
ates Christoi^her Lebron and Alfonso Cuazo, judges of the 
Audiencia and Chancery of his majesty', being present in the 
Casas de la Contratacion, before me Diego Cavallo, secretary of 
the said royal Audiencia, their honours stated: that inasmuch 
as yesterday a large ship, with three main-tops, belonging to the 
king of England, had arrived at the mouth of this harbour and 
river*, and the captain with ten or twelve sailors had come on 
shore in a boat, and had informed them how the said ship 
belonged to the king of England, and that it and another, some 
nine months since, had set out together from England in order 
at the king's command to explore a certain region in the north, 
between the Labrador's land^ and the Cod-fish land*, in the be- 
lief that they Avould find there a passage by which to sail to the 
discovery of Tartary; that they had sailed as far north as fifty 
degrees and more, where the cold had carried off some of their 
])eople, and having lost their pilot and their consort, they had 
come to this island to obtain fresh water and provisions and 
other things of which they stood in need ; and they had asked 
them [the judges] for a safe-conduct in order to enter this 
harbour, and they [the judges] in the name of his majesty had 
given it, and had sent Diego Mendez, high constable of this 
island and Erancis Martin and Pedro de Montes, pilots, on 
board with them to bring the said ship into this harbour : and 
as it was then almost night they were not able to bring her into 

1 Charles V. 

- The Ozama. 

^ Greenland. 

4 Our Labrodor and Newfoundland, then considered to be one coast. 



174 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

harbour until this morning at ten o'clock, when the said ship 
anchored at the mouth of the river in order to come further in 
when tlie north wind dropped : and that while the said ship was 
at anchor, they have been informed and it is publicly known, 
that from the fortress of this city a lombard was fired, with a 
stone which passed close to the said ship, on which account the 
said ship at once made sail and goes off in the direction of 

Castille, etc 

In the noble city and port of San Domingo on the island of 
Hispaniola' in the West Indies on the eighth day of the month 
of December in the year of the birth of our Saviour Jesus 
Christ 1527, before the noble gentleman Lope de Bardeca, 
Deputy in this said city and island of Ilispaniola for the illus- 
trious and very magnificent Don Louis Columbus, Admiral, 
Vice-roy and Governor for his majesty in these parts, and in 
presence of me, Gonzalo Gomez, notary of his majesty and of 
the said deputy's Audiencia and tribunal, appeared John Xim- 
enez, attorney and burgess of this said city for and in behalf of 
Francis de Tapia, Governor of the Fort, and burgess and alder- 
man of this city, and by virtue of the power of attorney from 
him which he showed, along with a written petition at the foot 
of which were certain questions, whereof the tenour, one after 
the other, was as follows : 

Most Noble Sir, 

I, Francis de Tapia, Governor for his majesty of the fort- 
ress of San Domingo, appear before your honour and say : that 
last Monday there arrived in the harbour of this city an armed 
vessel from England, and I sent to the Licentiates Lebron and 
Cuazo, at that time judges, to tell them to let me know whether 
or not they would allow the vessel to enter, who replied they 
would let me know, but sent no further word. And on the 
morning of the following day the ship entered and sought to 
anchor in the harbour ; and as I have charge of the port as a 
guard over the same, in order to find out on what terms she was 
sailing in, I fired a small gun in rear of the said ship, in order 
that she should make a signal as is customary; but the ship 
sailed away. And since in virtue of the above and of what 
took place in consequence thereof, I am under the necessity of 
making a report as a royal record to be presented to his Majesty^ 
and his Supreme Council, so that he may know and be informed 

1 Haiti. 

2 Chalks V. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 175 

of what took place, I beg your lionour to order the witnesses 
presented by me to be examined, and to order their statements 
and depositions to be given to me, so that when closed and 
sealed, the said evidence may be valid everywhere and before 
whomever presented ; which witnesses I beg be asked the follow- 
ing questions : First, etc 

Fifteenth (sic) : Also whether they know, etc., that when the 
said captain, master and crew of the said ship reached this said 
city and harbour, they stated and gave out that she had set 
forth from England to discover a certain strait towards the 
northern parts, and that after the loss of the pilot, who had 
been killed, they came to this said island in search of one and 
for no other reason ? 

And after the aforesaid, this said day and month and year 
above-mentioned, before me, the said notary, appeared John 
Ximenez in the said name, and presented as witnesses in the 
said case the licentiate Francisco de Prado and Alonso d'Avila, 
burgess and alderman of this said city, and Diego Martel, and 
John Garcia, Esquire, all inhabitants of the said city, and John 
de Loaysa, present therein, from whom and each of whom I, the 
said notary,. took and received the oath over the cross, whereon 
they corporally placed their right hands, and by God and St. 
Mary and by the words of the Holy Gospels7wherever they are 
further set forth according to law, promised in virtue thereof 
to state the truth : and that which they and each of them on 
being asked the questions in the said interrogatory, stated and 
deposed, secretly and openly, is as follows : 

Witness: the said Francisco de Prado, inhabitant of this 
city, witness presented in the said affair on behalf of the said 
Francisco de Tapia, Governor, having taken the oath according 
to law, and being examined according to the tenour of the 
said questions, stated and deposed as follows: 

To the first question he answered, etc 

As to the fourteenth question, he stated : that this 
w^itness heard all that is set forth in the said question 
publicly talked of in this said city among those who 
discussed the subject and had had it from the said captain 
and master; and that in the opinion of this witness and 
by what he can hear, in view of the fact that the said 
ship reached this harbour which is so hidden among 
these islands, she must have had on board a pilot who knew it 
very well ; and this was seen both when she came in from the 
high seas in search of this harbour, and again when she went 



176 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

away; for they sailed the coast like people who knew it 

Witness: the said Alonso d'Avila, burgess and alderman of 
this city, etc 

As to the fourteenth question, he stated : that what he knows 
in answer to this question is, that this witness heard the captain 
of the said ship declare, when he was on shore, that that vessel 
and another, which had set out in consort with it and had been 
lost, had set forth by order of the king of England in search of 
a strait towards the northern parts ; and that on the death of 
their pilot, who had been killed on a coast at which they had 
touched, they had come to this island in order to gather informa- 
tion about the course back to their country: that this witness 
thinks it certain from what he heard stated by men skilled in 
navigation, that the said ship would have had more difficulty 
in returning home than in coming to this island from the region 
whence the said captain affirmed she had come ; that it appeared 
to this witness from the manner in which the said vessel made 
this harbour, there was some one on board who knew the route 
well 

Witness: the said Diego Martel, burgess of this said city, 
etc *. 

As to the fourteenth question, he stated : that what he knows 
of this, is that the night the said two sailors passed in this wit- 
ness's house, desiring to find out Avhence they came, he asked 
them how they had arrived at this port, when -they were in a 
better position to sail home than to come to this port ? They 
answered this witness that the king of England had sent them 
with two ships to discover a certain strait that lay near ISFor- 
way, whence they had set forth ; and that after sailing as far 
north as 64°, it being winter, they found the land all frozen, 
and the cold so extreme that four or five men of this ship died, 
whereupon they agreed to come to a warm country, for which 
reason, and as their pilot had been killed, they had come with 
intent to sell certain clothes and linen goods they had on board, 
and to secure a skilled pilot to take them back to England. This 
is what the said two men told this witness, who is certain the 
ship would not have come to this port, had there not been on 
board a man who knew the course to bring them to this said 
harbour 

Witness : the said John Garcia, Esquire, burgess of this said 
city, etc 

As to the fourteenth question he stated: ttat this witness 
heard the same affirmed by some people in this city; and that 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 177 

this witness is of opinion that the said vessel had on board, to all 
appearances, a Spanish or English pilot, who had been in these 
parts 

Witness : the said John de Loaysa, present in this said city, 
etc 

As to the fourteenth question, he stated : that when the said 
master spoke with the said licentiate Cuazo, he heard him give 
the reason for his voyage that is set out in the question; and 
that their pilot had died in ISTewfoundland with other men ; and 
that afterwards this was believed and held to be certain from 
the goods on board the said ship 

After the above, in the said city of San Domingo on the 
ninth day of the said month of December, in the said year, in 
presence of me the said notary, appeared the said John Ximenez 
in tlie said name, and presented as a witness in the said matter 
Francisco Merchant, of the said city, who made oath according 
to law, and being questioned by the tenour of the said questions, 
stated and deposed as follows : 

To the fourteenth question he made answer : that while this 
witness was in Coco there arrived a pimiace with ten or twelve 
Englishmen from the said ship, and as soon as they came on 
shore they asked this witness about the condition of this city of 
San Juan\ And this witness told them it was in good condition ; 
and he asked them who they were ? They replied they were 
Englishmen, and that the ship was an English vessel belonging 
to the king of England, loaded with wollen stuffs and linens; 
and that they had been to jSTewfoundland and found the coast 
very low and that the pilots they had on board, who were the 
best that had been this way, had brought them to this city of 
San Domingo. And that this was when the said vessel was com- 
ing towards this city; and that this witness gave them some 
fresh fish to eat, and thereupon they returned to their boat and 
came towards this city, etc 

LIX. 

3 December 1531. 

AN ORDER TO INQUIRE INTO THE PLUNDERING OF A FRENCH 
VESSEL FROM NEWFOUNDLAND. 

Henricus octavus dei gratia Anglie et ffrancie Rex, fidei 
defensor, et dominus Hibernie, dilectis et fidelibus suis Edwardo 

1 The Capital of Porto Rico. 
4473—12 



178 CAXADIAiM ARCHIVES 

Guldeford, militi, Constabiilario Castri nostri Dovorie ac 
Custodi qiiinque portiium nostrorura, Johanni Hales, uni 
baronum de Scaccario nostrOj et Willelmo Hawte, militi, ac 
dilectis sibi Cristoforo Hales, general! attornato nostro, Will- 
elmo Kempe, armigero, et Ricardo Deryng, salutem: Sciatic, 
quod cum ex gravi querimonia Joliannis Collays, magistri 
cuiusdam navis vocate le Barbara de Seyntbridgion in Britan- 
nia accepimus qualiter navis ilia, salsis piscibus vocatur ffyssbe 
of the newe founde iland onusta, per nimiam tempestatem 
et maris rabiem agitata, pro tuicione et salvacione sua ad 
quondam costeram maris prope Rammesgate, infra insulam de 
Thaneto in comitatu nostro Kancie^ vicesimo tercio die Octu- 
bris ultimo preterito ai3plicuarit, eademque navi tunc salva 
a tempestate existente, quidam malefactores et treugarum et 
amiciciarum inter nos et carissimum fratrem et consanguin- 
eum nostrum ffranciscum, ffrancorum Regem, initarum et con- 
clusarum^, violatores et contemptores, in navem illam irru- 
perunt, et pisces ac alias res in ea existentes, necnon diversas 
apparatus eiusdem ceperunt et asportaverunt, Nos ami- 
ciciam et treugas predictas pro parte nostra firmiter teneri, et 
quod justum est in hac parte, fieri volentes, ac de fidelitatibus 
vestris plenius confidentes, assignavimus vos quinque, quntuor 
et tres vestrum ad inquirendum tarn per sacrmn, proborum 
et legalium liominuni in quibuscumque locis tam infra liber- 
tates quinque portuum predictorum quam alibi in predicto 
comitatu Kancie, per quos rei Veritas melius sciri poterit, ac 
aliis viis, modis et mediis, (Jjjiibus melius sciveritls aut poteritis, 
qui malefactores et amiciciarum predictarum violatores in 
navim predictam irruperunt, et pisces, res et apparatus eiusdem 
navis ceperunt, et quantum huiusmodi piscium, rerura et appara- 
tuum inde asportaverunt, et ad quorum sen cuius manus pisces, 
res et apparatus predicti devenerunt, et in quorum manibus ad 
hue existunt, et ad eosdem pisces, res et apparatus ubicumque 
inventi fuerint, tam infra libertates quam extra, seisiendos, 
eapiendos et arrestando-;, et prefaio Johanni Collays sen eius 
in hac parte deputato sive deputatis, si extent, aut precium 
sen verum valorem eorundem si non extent, restituti et libera ri 
faciendos, ac si aliquos vel aliquem restitucionem et libera- 
cionem huiusmodi facere rcnuentes vel renuentem inveneritis, 
tunc ad eos prisone nostre committendos, in eadem salvo et 

1 24 June, 1528. Vid. Rynipr, Fwdcra, XII., 258-65, London, 1712. 



PBECURSORS OF CARTIER 179 

secure quousque per eorum deliberacionem duxerimus ordinan- 
dum custodiri faciendos, Ac de nominibus eorum et de eorum 
gestis et factis ac de omnibus circumstanciis premissa tangenti- 
bus nobis in Cancellaria nostra debite certificandis. Ed ideo 
\obis mandamus, quod circa premissa diligenter intendatis, et 
ea facialis, et exequamini in forma predicta, ac nos in Can- 
cellaria nostra predicta de toto facto vestro in hac parte sub 
sigillis vestris quinque, quatuor vel trium vestrum in Crastino 
purificacionis beate Marie proximo future ubicumque tunc 
fuerit distincte et aperte reddatis certiores; damns autem uni- 
versis et singulis quorum interest in hac parte, tenore pre- 
sencium, firmiter in mandatis, quod vobis quinque, quatuor et 
tribus vestrum in execucione premissorum intendentes sint con- 
sulentes et auxiliantes in omnibus diligenter ; mandamus eciam 
tenore presencium vicomito nostro Kaneie quod ad certos dies 
et loca, quos ei scire facialis, coram vobis quinque, quatuor vel 
tribus vestrum tot et tales probos et legales homines de balliva 
sua, per quos rei Veritas in premissis melius sciri poterit et 
inquiri. Tn cuius rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri 
fecimus patentee. Teste me ipso, apud Chelsehith, secundo die 
Decembris, Anno regni nostri vicesimo tercio. 

From the Public Eecord Office, Patent Poll, 23 Henry VIII, 
December, pt. II., iSTo, 650, membrane lOd: unpublished. Vid. 
James G-airdner, Letters and Papers of the reign of Henry 
VIII. V, 285, m. 627 (1). 

LIXa. 

Henry VIII, by the grace of God, King of England and of 
France, defender of the Faith, and lord of Ireland, to his well- 
beloved and faithful Edward Guildford^ Knight; constable of 
our castle of Dover and Warden of our Cinque Ports, John 
Hales, one of the Barons of our Exchequer^ and William Hawte, 
Knight, and to his well-beloved Christopher Hales, our Attor- 
ney-GeneraP, William Kempe, Esquire, and Eichard Dering*, 
greeting: Know, that upon the serious complaint of Jean Col- 
lays, master of a certain ship called Le Barbara of St. Bridgion 

1 Son of Sir Richard Guildford and half brother of Sir Henry Guild- 
ford, comptroller of Henry VIII's household. Cf. p. XXIX. 

2 Appointed second baron 14 May, 1528. 

3 Appointed 3 June, 1529. 
* An old Kentish family. 

4473— 12i , . ;j.:. 



180 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

( ? St. Brieue) in Brittany, we have heard how this vessel, 
with a cargo of salted fish called ffysshe of the new foimde 
Hand, after being tossed about in a very bad storm and heavy 
sea, sought safety and shelter, on the twenty-third of October 
last, at a certain part of the coast near Ramsgate, on the south 
side of the island of Thanet in our county of Kent ; and Avhen 
this ship was then safe from the storm, certain malfactors, 
violators and contempters of the treaty of friendship entered 
into and concluded between ourselves and our very dear brother 
and cousin, Francis, king of the French, broke into that ship 
and seized and carried off both the fish and other goods then on 
board, as well as divers parts of the rigging. We, being desirous 
that the aforesaid treaty of friendship should be duly carried 
out on our part and that justice should be done in this»matter, 
and having full confidence in your fidelity, have appointed 
five, four and three of you to open an inquiry with the help of 
venerable, honest and lawful men in any places wliatsoever, as 
well within the jurisdiction of the aforesaid Cinque Ports as 
elsewhere in the aforesaid county of Kent, thiough whom the 
truth of the matter may be the better known, and in other ways, 
manners and means, by which the better you may learn or find 
out what malfactors and violators of the aforesaid friendship 
broke into the aforesaid ship and seized the fish, goods and 
tackle of the same, and how much of these fish, goods and tackle 
they carried off, and into whose hand or hands the aforesaid 
fish, goods and tackle came, and in whose hands they now are, 
and to seize, capture and take possession of these fish, goods 
and tackle wherever they be found, as well within the juris- 
diction [of the Cinque Ports] as outside of it, and to cause these, 
if they be in existence, to be given back and delivered up to the 
aforesaid Jean Collays or his deputy or deputies in this matter, 
or the price or true value if they do not exist, and should you 
discover any person or persons refusing to i^estore and hand over 
the same, then to commit these to our prison or have them 
detained there safely and securely, until we snail have con- 
sidered what is to be done in their case; and duly to certify to 
us in our Chancery their names, deeds and acts and all the cir- 
cumstances pertaining to the aforesaid matters. And therefore 
we command you to inquire diligently into the above and to 
carry out and fulfil the same in the manner aforesaid and to 
return us an explicit and clear account of all you do in this 
matter under the seal of the five, four or three of you, on the 
morrow of the next Purification of the Blessed Mary [3 Febru- 



PRECUESOES OF CAETIER IB I 

ary, 1532] in our aforesaid Chancery, wherever it may then be. 
Moreover, by the tenour of these presents we duly command all 
and singular to whom this matter pertains, diligently to aid, 
counsel and help the five, four or three of you wherever possible 
in the execution of the above. We also, by the tenour of these 
presents, command our sheriff of Kent, on the days and at the 
places you may fix [to assemble] before the five, four or three 
of you as many and such honest and lawful men of his bailiwick 
as may aid to the truth of the aforesaid being better known and 
inquired into. In Avitness whereof we have caused these our 
letters patent to be drawn up. 

Witness ourselves at Chelsehith on the second of December 
in the twenty-third year of our reign. 



LX. 

September-December 1533. 

THE CHEISTOPHE OF PLOUMANAC'h BOUND FOR NEWFOUNDLAND. 

A tons ceulx qui ces presentes lettres verront, etc., 
sgavoir faisons que etc., ont ete presens et personnellement es- 
tablyz Yvon Raymond, marchant et maistre de la navyre nom- 
mee Xpristofle de Plusmanac, lequel, de son bon gre et volonte, 
a congneu et confesse, etc., debvoir et estre tenu bien, justement 
et loyaulment a honnorable liomme Julien Giraud, marchent et 
bourgois de la ville de La Rochelle, a ce present, stipullant et 
acceptant, la somme de 30 livres tournoys ; laquelle somme ledit 
Raymond a confesse avoir heu et receu dudit Giraud auparavant 
le passement de ces presentes, et s'en est tenu et tient pour 
contant, ainsi qu'il a congneu et confesse es presences du notaire 
cy soubscriptz; renonscent, sur ce, ledit Raymond, a I'excep- 
tion de ladite pecune non avoir heue, non receue, non comptee, 
et a toutes autres maniere et exeption et dexxetions quelxcon- 
ques ; et laquele dicte somme de 30 livres tournoys ledit Giraud 
les a delaisse et delaisse audit Raymond a la grosse aventure du 
premier voyage qu'il prestant et espere faire de ceste ville de La 
Rochelle a Terre ISTeufves ou autre pays qu'il yra, en allant 
et venant en sauvete en ladite Rochelle ou ailheurs es environs. 
Et pour, ampres le retour fait, par ledit Raymond rendre et 
bailher et livrer audit Giraud sur le port et havre de 
ladite Rochelle ou ailheurs, pour le poyment de ladito 
somme de 30 livres tournoys, deux milliers de moul- 



182 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

lues parees, ainsi qu'il les amenera, moyenneut qu'elles 
soyent bonnes et marcliandes. Et moyennant ce, toutes obliga- 
tions, cedulles et chartres parties qui auroyent este faictes et 
passees par cy devant entre eulx par notaires ou autrement 
demourant, seront et demoureront cassees et annullees. Autre- 
ment ledit Giraud s'en pourra aider contre ledit Raymond par 
primitive obligation, seullement quant a rizer et debouter tons 
autres crediteurs. Pour lequel paiement, etc." After 23 Sep- 
tember, 1533, and before 31 December of the same year. 

From the office of M. Bonniot, notary at La Rochelle, 
minutes of M. Gascliet, notaire, fol. 371': unpublished. 
The above copy was most kindly made by M. Georges 
Musset of La Rochelle, who first discovered this document. 



LXI. 

EXTRACTS FROM CONTARINl's REPORT OX SEBASTIAN CABOT. 

Relazione letta in senate. 
Note a Cabotta. Concorda a non farlo Inglese anche una 
manuscritta relazione, che esiste presso di noi, di Marcantonio 
Contarini, Ambasciatore in Ispagna nel 1531, che dice: 

Sebastian Cahoito, figlio d'un Veneziano, quale andette in 
Inghilterra suso le Galie Yenete con fantasia di cercar paesi, 
etc. 

!N'ote. Dice il Contarini, che il Cabotta: ehhe do nave da 
Enrico Re de Anglia (Padre de Errico ^noderno, die e fatto 
Luterano, e peggio) e con 300. uomini navigo tanto che trovo 
il mar congelato. Questo e il viaggio, di cui parlato abbiamo 
di sopra, fatto del 1496, per trovare il passagio da un mare 
all' altro, e fin qui dice il vero. Segue lo stesso: Onde con- 
venne al Cahotto ritornarsene senza aver Vintento suo cum 
presuposito pero di ritornarsene a quella impresa a tempo die 
il mar non fosse congelato : Ne anche qui c'e che opporre. 
Aggiungne: Trovo il Re morto, e il figlio curarsi poco di tale 
impresa. 

From the Kaiserl. und Konigl. Hofbibliothek at Vienna, 
N° 6122, Cod. Foscarini, fols. 15"" and IV. The second extract 
is also given on folio 33\ Ilerr Ferd. Mencik, the custos, 
kindly collated the above copy: printed in the Raccolta Coloni- 
hiana, pt. Ill, vol. I, p. 137 ; Harrisse, John Cabot, etc., 431, N° 
LXIII ; and Winship, Cahot Bibliography, 36. 



precursors of cartier 183 

LXIa. 

Eeport read in the Senate. 

^N'ote on Cabot. Also agrees in not making him English, 
an MS. report, in our hands, by Marcantonio Contarini, 
ambassador in Spain in 1534, which states : 

Sebastian Cahot, son of a Venetian, wJio luent to England 
on the Venetian galleys with the idea of searching for new 
lands, etc. 

ISTote. ^ Contarini states that Cabot, had two ships from 
Henry, King of England, {father of the modern Henry who he- 
came Lutheran and worse) and with 300 men sailed so far that 
he found the sea frozen. This is the voyage of which we have 
spoken above, made in 1496, in order to find the passage from 
one ocean to the other ; and thus far he states what is true. He 
continues: Whence Cahot had to return without having carried 
■out his purpose, intending, however, to make a fresh attempt 
when the sea was not frozen. ISTor here can any objection be 
raised. He adds : He found the hing dead and the son little 
interested in such an undertahing. 



LXIT. 

1541-50. 



Tierra del Labrador. 

De la que al presente queremos tratar es comun- 
mente dicha tierra del Labrador, puesta en controversia de 
opiniones si es cortada del continente d'Engrovelandia\ de 
quien en la primera parte hizimos mencion, o si es tierra con- 
tinuada del continente setentrional de Europa, loqual esta por 
averiguar^ hasta oy por la indispusicion del lugar, que es tan 
fria que no es tratable sino en el estio. Zieglero' tiene ser esta 
tierra [toda]* continuada desde Escondia,^ movido por lo que 

1 The northern nart of Norway: cf. Nordenskiold's Facsimile-Atlas, 
plates XXX, XXXIII, XXXVIII and XLI. Stockholm, 1889. 

-The Vienna and Besanpon copies have: navega.r. 

3 Whose work on Sohondia, published at Strassburg in 1532, Santa 
Cruz had read. 

^ The words in brackets are found onlv in the Vienna and Besa ipon 
copies of the MS. which we shall call V. and B. 

^ Scandinavia: cf. Nordenskiold. op. cit., plate XLIII, and the Basle 
Ptolemies of 1540 and 1542, No. 41. Nova Tabula XIII. 



184 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

Antonio Gaboto della dixo, que avia ydo costeando la tierra y 
costa setentrional hasta mas adelante de la tierra de los Bacal- 
laos, J hasta casi la Florida, y que en jullio^ avia tan 
grandes tempanos j pedagos de yelo sobre el mar, mayores que 
las naos que llevavan, que venian de liazia la tierra alangados 
por los rrios, que apenas se podian defender dellos ; pero esta 
rrelacion fue muy confusa, y a quien no se dio mucha fee, por 
ser la primera. Olao Magno da a entender estar divisa, por 
manera que avria paso segun el por alii y a la rredouda de 
Escondia para yr a las islas orientales, loqual se a de entender 
por la parte oriental della. Que por la occidental hasta la 
tierra de los Bacallaos se afirma de unos dos hermanos Portu- 
gueses, llamados Cortes rreales, que fueron a ella con licencia 
del Key de Portugal, para la abitar, y de quien se dixo tambieri 
la tierra de los Corte Reales, o Corteratos, corrubto el vocablo, 
estos pues aseveraron partirse del gran continente de las Indias 
occidentales, cuyo estremo parte ellos tenian, desta isla del 
Labrador por una canal muy ancha y grande de mar, de la qual 
el piloto Antonio Gaboto, arriba dielio, tanbien tuvo iiotiQia. 
Fue dicha tierra del Labrador porque dio della aviso e indicio 
un labrador de las islas de los Agores al Rey de Inglatierra 
quando el la enbio a descubrir por Antonio Gaboto, piloto ingles 
y padre de Sebastian Gaboto, piloto mayor que fue^ de Vuestra 
Magestad, y dende estonces se frequenta de ingieses que van a 
ella por pescados, que toman muchos los de la tierra, que aiir- 
man ser de las mesmas costumbres que los de Capania,^ pro- 
vincia en Escondia, que al principio de la primera parte dixi- 
mos. Traen assi mesmo pellejos de animales de mucho precio 
y estima, y llevan mercadurias que a ellos les agradan. Afirmase 
ser la tierra muy abitada, y de muchos arboles y buenas aguas, 
y de rios muy caudalosos, y muchas islas pequciias'* junto a ella 
por toda la costa, de mucha frescura; y pesca de muchos pesca- 
dos. De verano tiene gentil vista por la mucha arboleda que 
dizen que tiene, lo que no tiene de invierno, por las muchas 
nieves. Tiene pues la costa austral della, que es lo que hasta 
el dia de oy esta descubierta, ciento y cinquenta leguas de largo, 
levante puniente, desde un cabo mas oriental, llamado caho 
Gruesso, hasta otro llamado caho de las Yslas. Salen a ella 
muchos rrios y muy buenos, y en parage de la costa muchas islas, 

1 V. and B. have: que con ser en julio. 

2 V. and B. have: que oy es. MS. J. 92 which was altered by Andi"^s 
Garcia Cespedes to read as his own work, still shows traces of this erasure. 

3 Laponia. V. and B. have : la Polonia. 
*Y. and B. have: y de yslas muy pequenas. 



PEECURSORS OF C ARTIER 185 

aunque deshabitadas y de ningun proveclio. A la parte del 
poniente tiene una gran baya con muchas islas. K&ta. en altura 
de cinquenta j seis grades, y en el clima onzeno. Su mayor 
dia es de 17 oras y nn quarto.^ 

Isla de San Juan; Islas de las Virgines. 
Junto a la costa de la tierra que arriba diximos llamarse 
de los Bachallaos, donde fueron a poblar los Corte Eeales, dos 
hermanos Portugueses, y primero reconocida del piloto Antonio 
Gaboto, ingles, por mandado de El Eey de Ynglatierra, estan 
muchas yslas, grandes y pequenas, de todas las quales, el dia de 
oy, ay poca noticia a causa de ser la tierra muy fria y de poco 
provecho, y aver muerto en ella los dos hermanos dichos con 
toda la gente que llevaron, sin saber como, porque nunca se 
supo cosa dellos, desde a poco tiempo que a ella llegaroii, ])oy 
loqual y por el poco provecho de la tierra, no a querido el Rey 
de Portugal tornar a embiar alia gente ni armada alguna^ ; pero 
tienese por muy mejor tierra que la del Labrador^ por ser mas 
caliente. Hallanse a la parte oriental desta tierra muchas islas 
y con nombres las siguientes : la primera se llama isla de la 
Fortuna, laqual esta en el brago de mar o estrecho que passa 
entre esta tierra de los Bacallaos y la isla del Labrador.* 
Llamose de la Fortuna })orque junto a ella huvo una gran [for; 
tuna de mar] una armada de Portugal que alii fue quando 
fueron los Corte Eeales ; y otra, San Juan, a la boca de un gran 
rrio ; y otra San Pedro. Fueron [les] puestos estos nombres 
jDor se aver descubierto en dias destos bienaventurados apos- 
teles. Son desiertas, y al derredor dellas se pescan muchos 
pescados. Mas al medio dia de las dichas, estan otras dos o 
tres islas altas, llamadas de Aves, porque al principio que se 
descubrieron, vieron^ en ellas muchas aves, como unas que aca 
llaman Eabiahorcados ; y no ay otra cosa de provecho en ellas. 
Mas al medio dia estan otras llamadas de los Patos, y otras aves 
de agua. Son yslas lianas y arenosas y de poco provecho. 
Al ocidente destas por catorze leguas esta una isleta baxa, y 
llena de baxos a la rredonda, que la llamaron por esta causa 
isla Baxa^. Al austro de la tierra de los Bacallaos y junto al 
cabo llamado d'Espera, estan tres islas, la mayor de las quales 

1 Cf. Tafel I in Franz E,. v. Wieser. Die Karien von Anierika in dem 
Islario General, etc. Innsbruck, 1908. 

- B. has : ningnna. 

^ Our Greenland. 

* Our Greenland; the strait is our Davis strait. 

^ B. has : dieron. 

^ Cf. E. W. Dahlgren, Map of the World by Alamo de Santa Cruz, 
plate III. Stockholm, 1892, 



186 CAi^ADTAIS' ARCHIVES 

sera de hasta tres o quatro legiias, clesliabitadas ; y mas al 
ocidente destas y dentro de una baya que se dize de Santa 
Maria, ay muchas isletas peqiiefias, y todas desiertas, y de 
grandes jDesquerias entre ellas^ las quales se anegan con las 
avenidas que el rio tiene en los inviernos. Y junto al cabo de 
Santa Maria, que es liiego passada la baya, estan tres yslas 
eomo casi en triangulo, de hasta oclio legiias de largo cada una, 
con otros isleos a la rredonda, las quales se llaman las Onze 
mill Virgines, todas despobladas y sin algun^ provecho. Al der- 
redor desta tierra y costa ay muy grande abundancia de pesca- 
dos, por laqual causa vienen cada ano muchos bretones e 
irlandeses a pescar a ellas por el rrio, y llevan cargados sus 
navios dellos. Los pescados que mas comunmente aqui se 
liallan, son bacallaos, que son unos pescados que salados se 
conservan mucho; y se llevan en las naos para bastimento, y 
se gastan en toda la costa de Francia,^ y aun de Galizia. Al 
medio dia desta tierra de los Bacalhaos y de la baya de Santa 
Maria, por cinquenta leguas, esta una isla Hamad a Juan 
Estevez^, laqual se dixo assi por uu piloto que la descubrio, 
.assi llamado, viniendo a pescar aqui: y tambien se ban descu- 
bierto otras que estan al poniente desta, assi acaso, andando 
pescando por este mar; pero todas son desliabitadas y de poco 
provecho. Estan en altura de quarenta y seis grados; y las 
que arriba diximos estar junto a la costa del continente, desde 
quarenta y ocho* a cinquenta y uno, y en el clima noveno ; y 
sn mayor dia de 16 horas y un quarto. Passadas las islas de 
las Honze mill Virgines haze la mar una muy gran ensenada, 
llamada hay a de Bretones, por la venida que hazen cada aiio a 
pescar a esta baya y tierra los dichos bretones. En esta baya 
o ensenada dizen aver muchas islas y todas despobladas. Prin- 
cipalmente ay una pequefia dicha de Sant Elmo, a laqual le 
pusieron el tal nombre ciertos pescadores bretones, porque una 
noche tomandoles sobrella una tormenta, dizen que vieron en 
la isla muchas candelas ardiendo, a que ellos llaman Sant Elmo, 
que dizen que viene en tal figura. Passada la dicha baya, mas 
al occidente y junto a ima punta llamada Caho Breton, com- 
ienca a prolongarse por la costa una isla, levante a poniente, 
dicha de San Juan, que tiene de largo cinquenta y seis leguas, 
y por lo mas aneho veinte. Esta isla dixeron algunos pilotos 

^ B. has: ningun. 

~ B. has : Flandres. 

3 Cf. Dahlgren, op. cit.. III. Our Sable island is evidently meant. 

■* B. has: quarenta y nueve o (sic) ciiiquenta. 



PKECURSOKS OF CARTIER 187 

que no estava en esta parte de mar, sino metida en la baya que 
diximos Uamarse de los Bretones : y en miichas cartas de 
iiavegar, a los prineipios quando esta tierra se comeugo a des- 
cubrir, se ponia^ asi, liasta que Estevan Gomez, piloto, truxo 
esta rrelacion algo discrepante de la que se tenia, que es estar 
esta isla no en la baya do dezian que estava, sino junto a esta 
tierra do agora esta. De laqual isla, no ay cosa que de con- 
tarse, a salvo que el diclio Estevan Gomez, piloto, dize que a la 
passada por ella, vido muchos humos en ella j seiiales de ser 
habitada. Hazese una canal entre ella y tierra firme llamada 
canal de San Julian, de einco o seis leguas de anclio. Esta 
isla dizen tener [muy] buena vista y muclia arl^oleda, y rrios 
que salen a la mar. Tiene a la rredonda de sy muchos isleos, 
todos deshabitados. Esta desde quarenta y seis a quarenta 
y siete gTados y medio^, y en el clima octavo. Tiene su mayor 
dia de quinze oras y dos tercios. Junto al Cabo Breton se 
hallan algunas isletas deshabitadas, do ay muehas aves, y al 
derredor dellas ay grandes pesquerias. 

Islas Adjace'ntes a la Tierra que descubrio el Piloto Estevan 

Gomez. 

Estevan Gomez, Piloto, de quien arriba diximos, en aquella 
Jornada y espedicion que hizo con mandado y licencia del 
emperador nuestro seiior^ en demanda y descubrimiento del 
Catayo o ciudad oriental de la India, y de aquel passo o estrecho, 
tan desseado, que saliese al mar eomunmente llamado del 
SuVj en el qual estuvo diez meses, dentro de los quales des- 
cubrio por esta costa gran numero de yslas juntas al contin- 
ente, y principalmente un Bio muy ancho y caudaloso que el 
puso nombre de los Gamos^, por los muclios que alii avia, sem- 
brado todo de yslas, a lasquales en el verano venian los indios 
de la tierra firme a abitar en ellas, por rrazon de las muehas 
pesquerias que junto a ellas avia de Salmones y Sabalos y 
bogas y otros muchos generos de pescados que en estas partes 
ay, por el qual rrio el navego por mucho espagio, creyendo fueae 
el estrecho que el desseava hallar, j^ero al fin hallo este ser un 
famoso rio de gran concurso de aguas, de do se arguye el gran 
trato y espacio del continente que alii ay. Y puesto que el 
creyese la muy firme oppinion que ay de la canal y passo que 

1 B. has : pusn. 

2 B. has: hasta qtiarcnia y ocho grados. Cf. Tafel II in Wieser. op. cit. 

3 V. and B. have simply: licencia de Vuestra Magestad. 
*The Bay of Fxmdy. 

^ B. has : arguyo. 



188 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

arriba diximos cortar el continente de los Bacallaos y la tierra 
llamada del Labrador, el tuvo por cierto que no avia necessidad 
de espiriencia, por no ser possible poderse passar por ella, segun 
el impedimento que avria de frialdad en las partes vezinas, 
laqual oppinion y disculpa de no aver intentado a passar por 
el, quedo tan assentada por buena escusa que nunca mas se ha 
intentado a proceder en este caso, siendo cosa que tanto impor- 
tava al bien y servicio de vuestra Magestad, porque se pretendiu 
por alii el govierno y trato de las yslas de los Malucos, con 
otras muchas que por alii ay del dominio y derecho de su 
corona Real, aunque este estrecho o canal, ya que se pudiese 
passar, pues por comparacion de lo que oy se sabe que se navega 
a la rredonda de Escondia, era possible, queda un grande 
escrupulo, que seria estremadamente dificultoso para los abitu- 
ados a temperamento tan contrario, o distante de tan gran 
estremo, como es Espaiia de la parte tan setentrional, coino 
esta ; por lo qual si los grandes cuidados que a vuestra Magestad 
fatigan, diessen lugar que su magnanimo coragon concibiese 
una cosa tan until y necessaria, como era juntar el mar del Sur 
y el ogeano Ocidental por aquel estrecho de tierra de Panama 
al ]*^ombre de Dios, pues ayuda a ello la dispusicion del lugar, 
pues de diez y siete leguas que son, las doze^ y mas es de un 
Rio tan llano y facil que pueden subir por el vergantines y 
barcos, por manera que no sesenta y dos millas despacio de 
tierra, como intento Sosostis, Rey de Egipto, y despues Dario, 
Rey de los Persas, y despues casi la acabo Ptolomeo, intentando 
de juntar el mar Bermezo con el Rio Nilo de Egipto, (lo qual 
despues de hecha se dexo de juntar por ciertas causas: sino 
hasta quinze serian las que restarian de se rrasgar) . Bolviendo 
a las yslas del Rio de las Gamas y de las adjacentes al continente 
vezino, son todas las mas, como dicho tengo, pobladas y prin 
cipalmente de verano de indios como los de S. Domingo, de 
quien luego diremos, y de me j ores cuerpos, ellas y ellos. 
Tienen sus arcos y flechas y langas tostadas con que pelean. 
Es la tierra muy templada y de mucha arboleda, de los que 
en estas partes ay, como enziiias, robles, solinas.^ Hallaronse 
muchas parras silvestres, con uvas y muchas plantas y yervas, 
como las de Espana, y mucha mareazita, que pensaron ser oro. 
Truxeron en el galeon muchos indios de la tierra a Espana, 
los quales pusieron en su libertad' 

1 B. has -.dies. 
-V. and B. have: oUivas. 

' Cf. Harrisse, Discovery of North America, 241 and his Bicouverte, 
etc., p. 88, and also Wieser, op. cit., Tafel III. 



PKECUESOKS OP CARTIER 189 

From tlie Islario General de todas las Ishs del Mundo in 
the Biblioteca J^acional, Madrid, MS. J 92, fols. 294^-9. Copies 
of parts III and IV are also preserved in the Kaiserliche Hof- 
bibliothek at Vienna (N'os. 5542 and 7195) and in the Biblin 
theque at Besangon (MS. No. 661). Mr. H, Harrisse pub- 
lished extracts from these in his Discovery of N. America, 234-8, 
and in his Decouverte, etc. de Terre-Neuve, 118-21, with French 
and English translations. Last year the whole of part IV 
was printed from MS. '^o. 7195, with a brief aeconnt of 
Santa Crnz's life, in Die Karten von Amerlha in dem 
Islario General des Alonso de Santa Cruz mit dem spanischen 
Originaltexte und einer hritischen Einleitung, herausgegehen 
von Franz. E. von Wieser, Innsbruck, 1908. 

LXIIa. 

The region of Avhicli we wish now to treat is commonly 
called the Labrador's land [Greenland], the point being dis- 
puted whether it is separated from the continent of Engrove- 
landia [Norway]^ ,whercof we have spoken in part I, or of it 
is one continuous coast with the northern continent of Europe. 
This point even to-day awaits verification, on account of th(! 
insalubrity of this region, which is so cold that it is accessible 
only in summer. Ziegler is of opinion that this [Green 1 
land is continuous with Escondia [Scandinavia], being influ- 
enced by what Antonio Gaboto stated in this connection, who 
had coasted the northern shores as far as a point beyond the 
Cod-fish land [jSTewfoundland] and almost as far as Florida. 
[He affirmed] that in July there were such large ice-floes and 
icebergs, larger than their ships, which moved along the coast 
with the current, that with difficulty they were able to avoid 
them. But this account was very confused and being the first, 
not much credence was given to it. 

Olaus Magnus^ gives us to understand that this [Green] 
land is cut off, so that according to him there should be a 
passage on that side and round Escondia [Scandinavia] to sail 
to the eastern islands, that is to say on the eastern side of the 
same. With regard to the western side of [Greenland] to- 
wards the Codfish land [iN'ewfoundland], it is stated that two 
Portuguese brothers named Corte Real, who made their way 

1 A. I']. Nor''f) skiold FncsimiUe-^tlos. plate XXX. Stockholm, 1889; 
and J. Fischer S. .T. and F. R. von Wieser, The oldest Map with the name 
America, plate 3, Innsbruck, 1903 

2 Archbishop of Upsal who died in Rome, 1568; author of a history 
of the Goths, etc. Cf. also p. 183, note 3. 



190 "CAXADIAN ARCHIVES 

to that region under licence from the king of Portugal to 
inhabit the same, and after whom that region [our ISTewfound- 
land and Labrador] \ is also called the land of the Corte Eeals, 
or by corruption of a syllable Corte Eatos, affirmed that the 
great continent of the West Indies [E"orth America], the 
extreme point of which they were occupying, was separated 
from the Labrador's island [Greenland] by a large wide ocean 
strait, of which the pilot Antonio Gaboto had also knowledge. 
It was called the Labrador's land because a husbandman 
[Labrador] from the Agores islands gave tidings and informa- 
tion about it to the king of England when he sent Antonio 
Gaboto, the English pilot and the father of Sebastian Gaboto, 
who was your Majesty's Pilot major, to discover it. From 
that time the English have frequented it on account of the fish 
which are caught in quantities by the natives who are said to 
have the same customs as those of Lapland, a province in 
Escondia [Scandinavia], whereof we have spoken in Part I. 
The English bring thence rare and valuable furs, and transport 
thither merchandise that pleases the natives. It is stated that 
the country is well populated, \Yith many trees, fine streams and 
very large rivers. Along the whole coast are many small, 
very pleasant islands. The fishing is also good. In summer 
the land has a pleasant appearance on account of the many trees 
that are said to grow there; but in winter, from the quantity 
of snow, it loses this. The southern coast of this [Green] 
land, which is the only part so far explored, is 150 leagues 
long, east and .west, from the most eastern point called the 
Great cape [Cape IDesolation] to another called the Cape of 
Islands [Cape Farewell]. Many fine rivers enter the sea 
from this land, and off the coast lie numerous uninhabited and 
unproductive islands. On the western side there is a large 
bay full of islands. This land lies in latitude 50° and in the 
eleventh climate. Its longest day is 17 hours 15 minutes. 

ST. jOHx's island: islands op the virgins. 

Off the coast of the land which we stated above was called 
the Cod-fish land [Newfoundland and Labrador], where the 
Corte Eeals, two Portuguese brothers, went to settle, and which 
was first explored b}'- the English pilot Antonio Gaboto by 
command of the king of England, lie many islands, large and 
small, in regard to which even to-day our information is scanty, 

1 Fisher and von Wieser. op. cit., plate 16: F. Kunstniaiin. Ailas zur 
Entdeckungsgeschichte Amerikas, Blatter I to IV, Miinchen. 1859. 



PRECUKSORS OF CARTIER 191 

because the land is cold and produces little of value, and 
because of the deaths of the said two brothers with all their 
men, no one knows in what manner; for shortly after their 
arrival there nothing further was ever heard of them, on which 
account and because of the slight profit from that land, the king 
of Portugal has been unwilling to send thither a fresh company 
or fleet. Being warmer it is held to be a better country than 
the Labrador's land [Greenland]. 

Off the east coast of this land [JSTewfoundland and Labra- 
dor] lie numerous islands named as follows : — the first is called 
Storm island and lies in the arm of the sea or [Davis] strait, 
which separates this Cod-fish land from the LalDrador's island 
[Greenland]. It was named Storm island from a great storm 
met with near it by a fleet from Portugal at the time the Corte 
Reals visited those parts.^ Another, lying at the mouth of a 
large river, is called Sf. Johns island and a third, St. Peter. 
They received these names from having been discovered on 
the festivals of those blessed apostles.^ They are desert but 
many fish are caught in the neighbouring waters. 

South of these lie two or three other high islands named 
Bird islands^, because when first discovered many birds were 
observed on them, and among these some we call pelicans. 
They produce nothing else of value. Further south lie 
others called Dude islands, with more sea-fowl. These islands 
are flat, sandy* and of little value. Some 14 leagues west of 
these lies a low island surrounded with reefs on which account 
it is' called Low island^. 

South of the Cod-fish land and near a cape named Expec- 
tation [Cape Spear] ^ lie three uninliabited islands, the largest 
of which might be three or four leagues in size.^ West of these, 
in a bay named St. Mary's bay^ are numerous small desert 
islands with good fishing in the neighbouring waters. These 
islands are submerged in the winter by the freshets. ISTear 
cape St. Mary, which lies just beyond the bay of that name, 
are three islands, each some eight leagues long, which almost 
form a triangle with other rocky islets round about. These, 
which are uninhabited and produce nothing, are called the 
11,000 Virgin^^^ 

iCf. Revue Hispaniquc. X. 574. Paris. 1903. 

2 Ibid. 

3 Now Gull island. 

* Vid. Dahlgren, op. cit., plate III. 

•' Cape Snear Hps 3+ inile? S.E. of St. Johns. 

^ Cape Spear islands, three in number, are quite small. 

■^ This bay lies between Cape Race and Placentia bay. 

8 Our St. Pierre and Miquelon islands. 



192 CANADIAN^ ARCHIVES 

Off the coast of this land is great abundance of iish, for 
which reason many Bretons and Irish come there every year 
to fish. Of these they carry away shiploads. The fish most com- 
monly caught are the cod, which when salted can he kept for a 
long time. These are transported abroad for food and are sold 
throughout the whole coast of France and Galicia. 

South of this Cod-fish land and of St. Mary's bay, some 50 
leagues, lies an island named ^ John Estevez's island^ which 
was so named in memory of the pilot who discovered it, when 
on his way here to fish. And others have also been discovered 
in this manner by chance by those who were on their way to 
fish in these waters. All are uninhabited and of slight utility. 
They lie in 46° ; and those mentioned above as being off the 
coast of this continent, lie from 48° to 51°, and in the ninth 
climate. Their longest day is 16 hours and 20 minutes. 

Beyond the islands of the 11,000 Virgins the sea forms a 
very large bay called the hay of the Bretons'^, on account of 
the arrival every year in this bay and off this coast of the said 
Bretons for fish. There are said to be many uninhabited 
islands in this bay. Especially there is a small one called St, 
Elmo^, which was so named by some Breton fishermen, because 
one night a storm caught them off this island, on which they 
declare they saw many burning candles, called by them St. 
Elmo, who is said to appear in that form. 

Beyond the said bay and further to the west near a cape 
named Cape Breton* lies an island named St. John's island, 
stretching east and west along the coast for some 56 leagues. 
It is 20 leagues in width at the widest part. Some pilots 
stated that this island did not lie here but was up in the bay 
named the Bretons' bay as already stated, and in the beginning 
when this land was first discovered it was so placed on the sail- 
ing charts, until Stephen Gomez, the pilot, brought back this 
information which was slightly different from that which then 
was known, which is that this island does not lie in the bay 
where they said it did, but along this coast, as is now stated. 
There is nothing to report about this island save that the said 
pilot Stephen Gomez states that when passing it, he saw many 
fires^ and signs of habitation. There is a passage between it 
and the mainland called St. Julian's channel, from five to six 

^ Probably our Sable island. Cf. Dahlgren, op. cit., plate III. 
2 Cabot strait or the southern entrance to the gulf of St. Lawrence. 
2 Cf. Dahlgren, loc. (dt. 

* Our present cape Breton appears to have borne this name since the 
beginning of the sixteenth century. ■ • 

" Smoke cape. Cf. Dawson, The Saini Lawrence Basin, p. 111. 



PKECURSOKS OF CAUTIKIt 1',);', 

leagues in width. This ishmd is said to present a pleasant 
appearance with many groves and rivers that flow down to the 
sea. In the neighbourhood are many small islands, all unin- 
habited. It stretches from 4fi° to 47° 30' and is in the eighth 
climate. Its longest day is 15 hours and 40 minutes. 

Near Cape Breton are found some small uninhabited 
islands, frequented by quantities of birds, while the fishing in 
the waters about them is very good. 

ISLANDS OFF THE LAND DISCOVERED BY THE PILOT STEPHEN 

GOMEZ. 

The pilot Stephen Gomez, of whom we have already spoken, 
in the expedition made by him at the command and by licence 
of the emperor, our master, in search of and in order to discover 
Cathay or the eastern city of India, as well as that so-much- 
sought-for strait or passage leading to the sea commonly called 
the South sea, discovered, during the 10 months he was absent, 
a large number of islands along the coast of this continent, 
and especially a verv wide, deep river which he named Deer 
river [the bay of Fundy] on account of the number of these 
found there. This river was everywhere dotted with islands, 
on which in summer the Indians from the mainland took up 
their quarters for the sake of the quantities of salmon, shad, 
pickerel and other varieties of fish found in those waters. 
Gomez sailed for some distance up this river, thinking it was 
the strait of which he was in search. Eventually he discovered 
it to be a large, deep river. From this fact an idea may be 
formed of the size and extent of that continent. 

And although he shared the general opinion about the strait 
or passage which as we have already stated separates the Cod- 
fish land continent [Xorth America] from the land called the 
Labrador's land [Greenland], yet he was convinced it Avas 
unnecessary to attempt it because of the cold in those part, 
which would always be a bar. This opinion and his excuse 
for not attempting that passage were accepted as so reasonable 
that no further attempt has ever been made to proceed with this 
matter, although of great importance to your Majesty's interests 
and service, since through that channel a claim was laid to the 
trade and couquest of the IMoluccas and to many more islands 
in those parts belonging of right to your royal crown. 

Should this strait or passage be found open, and in view 
of what is known to-day of the passae'e round Escondia [Scan- 

4473—13 



194 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

dinavia] this is possible, yet tliere remains one great obstacle, 
which would be the extreme difficulty for persons accustomed 
to such a different temperature, or one so far removed as is that 
of Spain from the cold in the north, [to pass that way]. On 
which account should the great cares that burden your Majesty 
allow your magnanimous heart to conceive of a matter so use- 
ful and necessary as the junction of the South sea with the 
Western ocean across that isthmus from Panama to ISTombre 
de Dios\ which the lie of the land favours so much that out of a 
total of 17 leagues, 12 are traversed by a river so even and easy 
that brigantines and barks are able to sail up it, not 62 miles 
Avould require to be excavated, as Sosostris, king of Egypt^, 
attempted and after him Darius, king of the Persians, which 
Ptolemy afterwards almost completed in seeking to connect the 
Eed sea with the river 'Nile in Egypt, (which attempt for 
various reasons was abandoned, although not more than 15 
miles remained uncut), [but only 5 leagues would require 
to be excavated]. 

Returning to the islands in Deer river [the bay of Fundy] 
and those lyiug off the neighbouring continent, these, as I 
have already explained, are nearly all of them inhabited, ])rin- 
cipally in the summer by Indians like those of St. Domingo, 
of whom we shall speak presently ; although these men and 
women have finer bo<lies. They sharpen the bows, arrows and 
spears with which they fight by toasting them. Their land has 
a temperate climate and is covered with the trees common to 
those regions such as evergreens, oaks and olives. Many wild 
vines are found which bear grapes, and many plants and herbs 
similar to those of Spain. There is much marcasite which 
they mistook for gold. They brought home to Spain in the 
galleon many Indians, whom they afterwards set at liberty. 

LXIII. 

KXTKA( T rRo:sr ^lAURiCE toby's lost ciiroxicle. 

1V.\(\\ This year nn St. John the Baptist's day, the land of 
America was found by the Merchants of Pristowe in a shippo 
of Eristowe, called the Mathew; the which said ship departed 

1 A port a little south of Colon which is to be the northern terminus 
of the Panama canal. 

- Necho (609-593) began this canal which was finished bv Darius (521- 
48C). 

3 15 Septoraber. 1496, to U September, 1497. Cf. Mi'is L. T. Smith's 
Introduction to Robert Ricart is Kulendar, XVll, London (Camden 
Society), 1872. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 195 

from the port of Bristowe the second day of May and came 
home again the 6*^^ of August next following. 

From A Brief Chronicle, conteyninge the accompte of the 
Beignes of all the Kings in the Eealme of Englande, from the 
entering of Brutus untill this present yeere, with all the notable 
acts done hy the dyvers of them, and wherein is also conteyned 
the names of all the Mayors, Stewardes, Bayliffes and Sheriff es, 
of the laudable town of Bristowe . . . .fromthe first yeere of King 
Henry ye 3rd, A.D., 1217 , untill the present yeere, 1565, which 
was destroyed by fire in 1860, but a transcript of which is in 
the possession of Mr. C. W. George of Bristol. Printed in 
the Encylopwdia Britanvica, 9"' edit., IV., art. Bristol, p. 350, 
Edinburgh, 1876; Weare, op. cit., 116; Notes and Queries, 
8*'^ series, XT, 501 ; and Harrisse, The Discovery of North 
America by John Cabot, the alleged date and landfall, also 
the ship's name, etc., p. 42, London, 1897. 



LXIV. 

A PORTUGUESE COLONS' Y IN NEWFOUNDLAND, 1520-25. 

Havera 45 annos on 50, que de Viana se ajuntarao 
certos homen's fidalgos, e'pola informacao que tiverao da terra 
Xova do Bacalhao, se determinarao a hir povoar algua parte 
della, como de feito forao em hua nao e hiia caravella, e por 
aeharem a terra muito fria, donde hiao determinados, correrao 
para a costa de leste Oeste, te darem na de nordeste sudoeste, 
e ahi habitarao, e por se Ihe perderem os navios, nao ouve mais 
notigia delles, somente por via dos Biscainhos que continuao a 
dita Costa a buscar e a resgatar muitas cousas que na dita 
Costa ha, dao destes homen's informacao, e dizem que Ihe 
pedem, digao ca a nos outros, como estao ali, e que Ihe levem 
sacerdotes, porque o gentio he domestico, e a terra muito farta 
e boa, como mais largamente tenho as enformagoes, e he notorio 
aos homen's que la navegao, e isto he no Cabo do Britao, logo 
na entrada da Costa, que eorre ao norte em hua fermoza bahia, 
donde tem grande povoagao e ha na terra cousas de muito prego 
e muita nos, Castanha, Uvas, outras frutas, por onde 
parege ser a terra boa e assy nesta companlaa forao alguns 
cazaes, das Ilhas dos Assores, que de caminho tomarao como he 
notorio, Xosso Senhor quiera por sua mysericordia, abrir 
caminho como Ihe va socorro, e minha tengao he hir a dita Costa, 

4473— I3i 



196 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

de caminho quando for a Illia de Sao Francisco, que tiido se 
pode fazer de liiia viagem. 

Porque ao tempo que os antigos dao enformagao destas 
Ilhas, a navegagao inda nao hera apurada, como agora he, 
devesse de buscar nas ditas partes, ou por mais hum grao ao 
norte, ou ao sul, e para loeste e leste, Eevolvendosse, como os 
marcantes milhor o saberao fazer, se nosso senhor nao for 
servido que eu o faga, por que alem de saber a navegagao, tenho 
outras regras das sciencias mathematicas, e bom engenho para 
todo necessario ao dito descobrimento, e nosso senhor ordene 
o que for mais ao sen santo servigo. E escrevi isto, e o mais que 
em mens papeis tenho escrito, porque nao sey o que o senlior 
Deos fara de my, e por tanto,, se isto a alguem prestar, pego 
rogue a Deos por minha ahna, como eu fago polas dos que 
fizerao as informagoes que tenho, porque. esta he a obrigagao do 
bom proximo, e dos mens, e tudo pode ser assy como foy e he, o 
mais que esta habitado. 

From the Bibliotlieca da Universidade, C'oimbra, Papeis 
politicos e historicos, MS. No. 620 (175, antigo deposlto) fol. 
80. The other copy mentioned as being under Miscellanea, 
MS. No. 135 of the antigo deposito could not be found. This 
document was first printed in 1877 by Senhor Ernesto do 
Canto, under the title of Tratado das Ilhas Novas e Dcscohri- 
mento dellas e outras couzas feito por Francisco de Souza, fel- 
tor d'ElRei Nosso Senhor 7ia capltania da cidade do Funchal 
da Ilha da Madeira e natural da dita Illia e' assym sohre a gente 
de nagdo Portugueza, que esta em hutna grande Ilha, que nella 
fordo ter no tempo da perdigdo das Espanhas, que ha trezentos 
e tantos annos, em cjue reinava ElRei Dom Rodrigo. Dos 
Portuguezes que fordo de Viana e das IJlias dos Aqores a povoar 
a Terra Nora do Bacalliao, vay em scssenta annos, do que suc- 
edeo que adiante se trata anno do Senhor 1570, pp. 5-6, 
Ponta Delgada, Agores, 1877. 



LXIVa. 

It will be 45 or 50 years ago that certain noblemen of 
Vianna associated themselves together and in view of the in- 
formation in their pos-;ession regarding the Codfish-land of 
Newfoundland determined to settle some part thereof, as in 
truth they did in a ship and a caravel, but finding the region 
to which they were bound, verv cold, they sailed along 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 197 

the coast from east to west until they reached that 
rimniiig northeast and southwest, and there they set- 
tled. And as they had lost their ships, nothing- further was 
heard of them, save from the Basques who continue to visit 
that coast in search of the many articles to be obtained there, 
Avho bring word of them and state that they [the settlers] 
asked them to let us know how they were, and to take out priests ; 
for the natives are submissive and the soil very fertile and good, 
as I have been more fully informed, and is well known to those 
who sail thither. This is at ca]>e Breton, at the beginning of 
the coast that runs north, in a beautiful bay, where there are 
many people and goods of much value and many nuts, chosnuts, 
grapes and other fruits, whereby it is clear the soil is rich. And 
in this company went also some families from the Azores islands 
whom they took on board on their way out, as is well known. 
jMay our Lord in his mercy open a way by which to succour 
them. And my purpose is to go to this coast, in the voyage T 
shall make to the island of San Francisco,^ which can all be 
done in one journey. 

Since at the time the ancients gave^ information of these 
islands, the route had not been brought to the perfection it now 
is, it is necessary to feel one's way in those parts with an addi- 
tion of one degree to the north or to the south and between west 
and east, coming back by the best course known to the traders, 
should God not be pleased to send me there, since in addition 
to a knowledge of navigation, I possess other rules of the 
mathematical sciences and a good mind for all that is required 
in the said discovery. And may God ordain what is best for 
His holy service. And I have written this and whatever else 
is among my papers, because I never know what the Lord God 
will do with me, and therefore should this prove of use to any 
one, I beg him to pray to God for my soul, as I do in behalf of 
those who collected the information in my possession ; for this 
is the duty of a good neighbour and of all mine ; and all may 
be thus, as was and is the most part that is inhabited. 

Translated in part by the Eev. George Patterson in the 
Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, VIIT, sec. II, 
163-4, Montreal, 1891. 

^ It is not clear what island is meant. Cf. the map is Senhor do 
Canto's reprint. 
* Lit. give. 



APPENDIX. 

(A.) Printed Sources. 

1. 1507. Letter of Pietro Pasqualigo to his brothers in Lisbon, 

dated at \'enice, 15> October, 1501: 

Printed in Paesl nouamente retrovati, lib. sexto, cap, cxxvi, 
Vicentia, 150"; and the reprints of 1508, 1512, 1519 and 1521; 
Biddle, op. cit, 235-6; Harrisse, Leg Corte-Real, 211-12; and 
in the Archiro dus Acores, IV, 421-3. 

Translated in Biddle, op. cit., 235-0; Weise, op. cit., 200- 
11; and Markham, op. cit., 230-8. A French translation will 
be fonnd in Harrisso, o[). cit., 50-2. 

2. 1512. Savages from Newfonndland bronght to Ronen, 1509 : 
Eusehil Ccpsariensla Eplscopi Ch ran iron, etc., fol. 172', 

Paris, 1512 in 4° ; reprinted in Gaifarel, Histoire du Bresil 
frangais au seizieme siecle, 58 note 1, Paris, 1878; Harrisse, 
Decouverie et evolution cartof/mphique de Terre-Neuve, 102. 
Translated in Weise, op. cit., 299. A French translation is 
given in Harrisse, op. cit., 102-3. 

3. 1510. Peter Martyr's account of Cabot's voyage: 

De orhe novo Decades, III, lib. VI, f. 52, Alcala, 1510; 
reprinted at Cologne in 1530, fol. xlvi, and at Paris, 1587, 
pp. 231-3. A facsimile of the above folio of the first edition 
will be fonnd in Winsor, op. cit., Ill, 15. 

Translated in Richard Eden, The Decades of the newe 
worlde or ivest India, 118-19, London, 1555; reprinted by R. 
Willes, 124-5, London, 1577; M. Lok, The Historic of the 
West Indies, 124-5, London, 1012; A Selection of Voyages 
chiefly published by Ilahluyt, 494-5, London, 1812; and in E. 
Arber, The first three English Bools on America, 101-2, Lon- 
don, 1895. 

An extract with translation is also given in Hakluyt, Prin- 
cipall Navigations. 513-14, London, 1589; edition of 1600, 
III, 8-9; reprinted, London, 1810, III, 29-30; reprinted, 
Edinburgh, 1889, XII, 28-30; and reprinted (Hakluyt Society) 
Glasgow, 1904, VIT, 150-3\ 

1 For a complete list of the orinted Cabot sources, vid. G. P. 
Winship, Cabot Bibliography, passim, London, 1900. 

199 



^00 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

4. 1519. Eneiso's description of Xewfoiindland and Greenland: 
Martin Fernandez de Enciso, Suma de Geograpliia, the last 

paragraph, Sevilla, 1519; reprinted there in 1530 and 1540. 
The American portion was repnblished in 1897 at Santiago de 
Chile by J. T. Medina. 

5. 1519. Verses on the Xewfoundland fisherv^': 

A new interlude and a mery of the nature of the JUL 
(Icinrntcs. etc., sign ci. to oiiii, n. ])., circa 1519. A unique 
but imperfect copy is in the British Mnsenm, c 39 b 17 ; printed 
in the Antiquary's Magazine, I, 87-90, London, 1807; T. O. 
Ilalliwell, Early English Poetry, Ballads, etc., XXIT, 28-32, 
London, (Percy Society) 1848; R. Dodsley, A select CotJection 
of old English Plays, KiizUn'^ edit., I, 28-32, London, 1874; 
and in Arber, op. cit., xx-xxi. 

6. 1524. Verrazano's voyage: 

Kamusio, Xavigation et riaggi. Ill, 420-22. Venetii, 
155(); reprinted, 1505", ibid; e(hi. of l(iO() ,111, 350 (2 jiage-). 
Another text will be found in the Collections of the Xcic York 
Historical Society, 2nd ser., T, 55-67, Xew York, 1841, ])re- 
(cded by an English tran-^latinn, ])i). 41-54; r('])rinted in Arclii- 
rio Slorico Italiano. IX, fi]))>. Xo. 28, ]]). 37-52, Firenze, 1853 ; 
Paccolta Coloinhiana. pt. Ill, vol. IT, 332-44; ;Mid in tlie 
Bdllaftino dclla Societn Geografici Italiana. ser. TV, vol. X, 
jium. TI, 1308-23, Xovembre, 1909. 

Translated in Ha klnyt, D^'rers Voyages, sign. A to B 4, 
London, 1582; Principal) Navigations. li\, 295-300, flGOO); 
re]irint of 1810, 111, 357-*M-; reprint of the Dirers Voi/ages, 
55-71, London (Tlaklnvt Societv) 1850; Princlpall Naviga- 
tions, XI II, 389-401, Edinburgh, 1889; and the reprint of 
1904, VIIT, 423-38. 

7. 1526. Oviedo's account <tf Gomez's voyage: 

Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo, De la natural hystoria de las 
Indias, c. x, fol. xiiii'', Toledo, 1526. 

Translated in Eden, o]). cit., 213''-14; edition of 1577, f. 
225 ; and in Arber, op. cit, 242. 

8. 1527. John lint's letter from St. .lohns. Xowfoundhmd ; 
Purchas His Pilgrimes, Til, 809, London, 1625; re])rinted 

at Glasgow, 1906, XTV, 304-5 ; and T). W. Browse, A History 
of Newfoundland, 40-1, London, 1895; and ibid, l*-96. 

1 Cf. also Thomas Hawkins, The Origin of the Euglish nratna, I. 88. 
Oxford, 1773: Percy's Reliqties of Ancient English Poetry, T, 124, London, 
1765; and At. F. de Navanete, Coleccion de los viages y descubrimientos, 
III, 176-80, Madrid, 1829. 



PllKCURSOI?S OF CARTIER 201 

I), 1527. Robert Tliorne's declaration and book. 

liakluyt, Divers Voyages, signs B to D 3, London, 1582; 
re])rinted, London, 1850, 27-54; idem, Principall Navigations, 
250-8, London, 158!). 

10. 153L Peter ]\[artyr's second account of Cabot's voyage: 
Llhro prlmo della hlsiorla de I'Indie occidentaU, 65, 

Venetia, 153 [■; rejM-inted in Raninsio, op. cit.. Ill, 35''-6, 
Venetia, 1556; edition of 1505, III, ibid; edition of 1600, 
III, 2<y-30. 

11. 1535. Oviedo's account of the English expedition of 1527: 
Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo, La hlstorla general de las 

Indlas, lib. xix, fo. clxi., cap. xiii, Sevilla, 1535; reprinted at 
Salamanca, 1547, ibid; and the edition published by J. Amador 
de los Rios, T, Oil, :Madrid. 1851. 

Translated in Purchas, op. cit., Ill, 999 ; reprint of 1906, 
XV, 231. 

12. 1539. Crignon's discourse: 

Ramusio, op. cit., Ill, 423-9; reprinted, 1565, III, 423-9; 
reprinted, 1606, III, 350^-69. 

13. 1550. The Mantuan gentleman's discourse: 

Ramusio, op. cit., I, 398-403, Venetia, 1550: second edition, 
1554, I, 414-15; third edition, 1563, I, 374; fourth edition, 
1588, I, ibid; and the reprints of 1606 and 1613, ibid. 

Translated in Eden., op. cit., 251^-6: edition of 1577, fols. 
263^-8 ; and in Arber, op. cit., 287-8. Part of it will also be 
found in Hakluyt, op. cit., 1589, p. 512; edition of 1600, TIT, 
6-7; edit. 1810, TIT, 27-8; edit. 1889, XII, 25-7; and in VEI, 
147-9 of the 1904 edition. 

14. 1552. Gomara's account of Xewfoundland and Labrador: 
F. Lopez de Gomara, La Istorla de las Indlas. foh. vii-ix 

and XX, (^aragoca, 1552: edition published at Medina del 
Campo 1553, ibid; edit. Qaragoca, 1554, fols. iv-vi and xiv^'-xv; 
edit. Anvers, 1554, fols. 16''-18 and 50-1; and reprint of D. 
Enrique de Vedia, Blhlloteca de autores cspahoUs, XXTT, 162-3 
and 177, Madrid, 1852. 

Translated in Eden, o]\ cit., 317^-8; edition oi 1577. fols. 
227''-8: and in Arber, op. cit., 344-5. In part also in Hakluyt, 
op. cit., 1589, p. 514; 1600, III, 9; 1810, III, 30; 1889, XII, 
30-1 ; and 1904, VII, 153-4. 



202 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

15. 1553. Vovaffe of Sebastiafci Cabot and Perte (or Spert) : 
R. Eden, A Tre-atyse of the newe India, sign, aa iiii, London, 

1553: reprinted in Arber, op. cit, 6. Vid. also Hakluyt, op. 
cit, 1589, pp. 515-6; edit. 1600, III, 49S-9; edit. 1810, III, 
591-3; 1890, XV, 120-3; and 1904, X, 2-6. 

16. 1556. Ramnsio's description of Xewfonndland and Xew 
France : 

Ramnsio, op. cit., Ill, 1, and 417-19: edition of 1565, III, 
sign, a iiii, and 417-19 ; edition of 1606, III, sign, a iiii' and 
347-9. 

Translated in part in Ilaklnvt, Divers Voyages, sign. A 3' 
—4; Principall Navigations, 1589, 513; edition of 1600, III, 
7-8; 1810, III, 28-9; reprint of Divers Voyages, 24-6, London, 
1850; reprint of Principall Navigations, Xll, 27-8, 1889; 
reprint, 1904, VII, 149-50. 

17. 1557. Tlievet's acconnt of Cabot's voyage and of Canada: 
A. Thevet, Les Singularitez de la France Antarctique, 148' 

et seq., Paris, 1557-8 ; GaffareFs edit, of 1878, 395-444. 

Translated in llie New found Worlde, 122 et seq., London, 
1568. 

18. 1563. Galvano's acconnt of the voyages of Cabot, tlie 

Corte Reals and Gomez. 

Tratado que compos o nohre cf* notaitel capitao Antonio 
Galudo, dos diuersos & desuayrados caminhos, por onde nos 
tempos passados a pimenta & especearia veyo da hidia as nossas 
partes, etc., fols. 25, 28^ 53^-4 and 63, Lisbon, 1563; reprinted, 
Lisbon, 1731, pp. 32, 36, 67-8 and 78-9. 

Translated in R. Haklnyt, The Discoveries of the World, 
etc., 32-3, 35-6, 66 and 76 ; reprinted in A Collection of Voy- 
ages and Ti'avels from the Library of the late Earl of Oxford, 
II, 373, 375, 388 and 893, London, 1745; J. S. Clarke, The 
Progress of Maritime Discovery , I. appendix, 23, 35, 55 and 62, 
London, 1803: A Selection of Voyages chiefly published by 
HaMuyt, 17-19, 34, and 40, London, 1812; and finally re- 
printed for the Ilaklnvt Society in 1862, with the Portngnese 
text, by Vice-Admiral Bethune, pp. 87-8, 96-7, 167-8 and 198. 

19. 1566. Damian de Goes' acconnt of the Voyages of the 
Corte Reals: 

Damian de Goes, Chronica do Felicissimo liei dom Eman- 
uel, part V, fo. 65, Liboa, 1566; reprinted Lisbon, 1619, fob 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 203 

50, cap. Ixvi; edit, of 1749, pp. 87-8; and the edition printed 
at Coimbra, 1790, I, 170-2. 

20. 1571. Osorio's account of the voyages of the Corte Reals: 
Hieronymo Osorio, De rehus Emmanuelis, etc., lib. II, 84-5, 

Olyssipone, 1571; reprinted in 1574, 1581, 1586 and 1791. 
Translated in James Gibbs, The History of the Portuguese 
during the reign of Emmanuel, I, 128-9, London, 1752. 

21. 1575. Thevet's account of the voyages of Cabot and of the 
Corte Reals: 

Andre Thevet, La Cosmographie universelle^ IT, 1022, 
Paris, 1575. 

22. 1579. Chauveton's account of the voyages of the Cabots 
and Corte Reals : 

Urbain Chauveton, Histoire nouvelle du Nouveau Monde. . 
extraite de Vitalien de M. Hierosme Benzoni, 140-2, n. p. 
(Geneva) 1579. 

23. 1580. Stow's account of Cabot's voyage from Fabyan'a 
lost chronicle: 

John Stow, The Chronicles of England from Brute unto, 
this present yeare of Christ, 1580, 871-2 and 874-5, Lon- 
don, n. d. [1580] ; reprinted by Hakluyt, Divers Voyages, sign. 
A 3, Principall Navigations, 1589, 515 ; reprint of Stow, 1592, 
802 and 807: Hakluyt, op. cit., 1600, III, 9-10; edition of 
Stow, 1605, pp. 804-5 and 810; edition of 1614, pp. 481-2 
and 485; edition of 1631, pp. 480-1 and 483-4; reprint of 
Hakluyt, 1810, III, 30-1 ; reprint of the Divers Voyages, 1850, 
pp. 23-4; Principall Navigations, 1889, XII, 31-2; and 1904, 
VII, 154-5. 

24. 1589. Richard Hakluyt's account of the voyage of 1527: 
R. Hakluyt, op. cit, 1589, p. 517; edition of 1600, III, 

129; edition of 1810, III, 167-8; 1889, XII, 293-4; and edi- 
tion of 1904, VIII, 1-2. 

25. 1601. Herrera's account of Gomez's voyage and of that 
of 1527: 

Antonio de Herrera, Historia general de los hechos de los 
castellanos en las Islas i tierra firme del Mar oceano, dec. II, lib. 
V, cap. iii, 144-5; dec. Ill, lib. IV, cap. xx, 182; dec. Ill, 



204 CANADIAN ARCHIVES 

lib. VIII, cap. viii, 307-8, Madrid, 1601; reprinted Madrid, 
1726, II, 113-15; III, 143-4 and 241. Cf. also dec. Ill, lib. 
X, cap. ix, 369 of the edition of 1601 and p. 289 of the 1726 
edition. 

26. 1852. Oviodo's description of the east coast of Xorth 
America taken from Spanish maps : 

Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo, Hisforia general y natural de 
las ludias, etc., II, 147-52, Madrid, 1852; and III, 635-40, 
Madrid, 1853. 

(B.) Maps Reproduced. 

1. E. F. Jomard, Les monuments de la geographic, etc., Paris, 

1854-8. 

2. F. Kunstmann, Atlas zur Entdechungsgeschiclite Amerikas. 

Miinchen, 1859. 

3. J. G. Kohl, Die heiden Cdtesten General-Karten von AmeriJca. 

Weimar, 1860. 

4. H. Stevens, Historical and. Geographical Notes, IJfoS-looO. 

London, 1869. 

5. J. G. Kohl, History of the Discovery of Maine. Portland-, 

1869. 

6. H. Harrisse, Reproduction of the Cantino map published 

with his memoir on Les Corte-Real. Paris, 1883. 

7. A. J. Weise, The Discoveries of America to the year 1525. 

New York, 1884. 

8. A. E. Nordenskiold, Facsimile- Atlas, pp. 62-71. Stock- 

holm, 1889. 

9. H. Harrisse, The Discovery of North America. London, 

1892. 

10. E. W. Dahlg-ren, Map of the World by Alonzo de Santa 
Cruz, Stockholm, 1892. 

11. K. Kretschmer, Atlas der Festschrift der Gesellschaft fiir 
Ei'dl'unde zu Berlin zur vierhundertjdhrigen Feier der 
Entdechung Ameril-as. Berlin, 1892. 

12. G. Marcel, Reproductions de cartes et de globes relatifs a 
la decouverte de I'Amerique. Paris, 1893. 

13. A. E. l^ordenskiold, Periplus, pp. 161-83. Stockholm, 
1897. 

14. S. E. Dawson, The Voyages of the Cahots. Ottawa, 1897. 



PRECURSORS or C ARTIER 205 

15. H. Harrisse, Decoiiverte et evolution carlographiqne de 
Terre-Neuve. Paris, 1900. 

16. J. Fischer and F. R. von Wieser, The oldvist Map inth the 
name America. Innsbruck, 1903. 

17. E. L. Stevenson, Maps illustrating Discovery and Explora- 
tion ill America, 1 502-1580. .I^ew Brnnswick, New Jersev, 
1903. 

18. y. Hantzscli imd L. Schmidt, Kartogruphische Denkmdler 
zur Entdechungsgeschichte von Amer'iha, et<;., Leipzig, 1903. 

19. E. L. Stevenson, Marine ^yorld Chart (circa) 1502 by 
Nicolo de Canerio Januensis. ISTew York, 1907. 

20. F. R. von Wieser, Die Karten von Ameril-a in dem Islario 
General des Alonso de Santa Cruz. Innsbruck, 1908. 



i:n dkx 



Agramonte, Juan de, xxii; 102-11, 
warrants for ; 111-15, letters 
patent to. 

Alexandria, vii, xi; 18, 21. 
Alexis river, xxx. 
Angra, (Terceira), 38, 39. 
Archives, — 
Archives de la Cliareute-Inferieu- 

re, 159, 161, 162. 
Archives de la Charente-Inferieu- 

118. 
Archivo de Indias, 115, 147, 151, 

153, 154, 156, 157, 158, 166, 173. 
Bayonne, 124, 126, 132, 164. 
Bertiandos, Conde de, 129. 
Bonniot, Monsieur, 182. 
Bristol, sec George C. W. 
British Museum, 12, 100. 
Coinibra, 196. 
Department of the C6tes-du- 

Nord, 123. 
Drapers' Company, 142. 
George, Mr. C. W., at Bristol, 

195 
La Rochelle, 159, 161, 162, 182. 
Lisbon, see Torre do Tombo. 
Madrid, 189. 
Milan, 19. 
Modena, 63. 
Nantes, 118. 
Ponta Delgada, 98. 
Public Record Office, 6. 8, 15, 

17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 40, 50, 80, 92, 

142, 143, 163, 179. 
St. Brieux, see Department of 

the C6tes-du-Nord. 
Seville, see Archivo de Indias. 
Simancas, 11, 28, 106, 113. 
Torre do Tombo, 31. 34, 38, 60. 

69, 94, 97, 101, 144. 
Venice, 1. 4, 13, 66. 
Vienna, 182, 189. 
Westminster Chapter .'\rchives. 

30. 
Archives de la Charente-lnferieu- 

re, 159, 161, 162. 
Archivo de Indias, 115, 147. 151, 
153, 154, 156, 157, 158, 166, 173. 



Ashurst, Thomas, of Bristol, xviii 
XXI ; 40, 41-59, grant to; 70-91 ' 
grant to. 

Asia, vii, x, xiii; 17, 19. 

Ayala, Pedro de, 27-29, dispatch of. 

Azevedo, Sr. Pedro A d', of the 

iorre do Tombo at Lisbon, vi. 
Azores, the, xviii; 40, 41 47 70 

81, 98, 130, 184, 195, 197.' ' ' 
Baccalaos Isia de los, 115, 165, 

169. 

Baccalaos tierra de los, 165 169 

184, 185, 188, 195. 
Baccalieu island, xvii. 
BafFins land, xiii. 
Banks (Newfoundland), xxi, xxii, 

XXV. 

Barcello, Diogo de, 100-102, grants 
to. 

BarceJlos, Peter de, 98-99, voyage 

of; iOO, 101. 
Basques, 197. 

Bay of Islands (Newfoundland) 
called the large river, xix-xx. 

Bay of Bretons, 186, 187, 192. 

Bayonne, 124, 125, 126, 132 133, 
163, 164. 

Bayonne vessels for Newfound- 
land, 124, 126, 132-33, 163-65. 

Beauport, Abbey of, 118-23, agree- 
ment with monks of. 

Belle Isle (island), xvi-xvii. 

Belle Isle, strait oT, xiii, xvi, xxxi. 

Bertiandos, Conde de, 129. 

Bird islands, 185, 191. 

Biscay, 105, 109, 157. 

Blake, Mr. S. V., of Trosley, Kent, 
vi 

Bonne bay (Newfoundland), called 
the Small bay, xx. 

Bonniot, M., notarv at La Rochel- 
le, 182. 

Bordeaux (Burdeux), 135. 

Boston bay, xxviii. 



208 



CANADIAN ARCHIVES 



Bradley, Thomas, i2. 

Branda Diogo, 98-7, letter to. 

Bras d'Or, xxiii, xxvi. 

Brazil, 130. 

Brazil, island of, viii; 27, 28. 

Brazil-wood, 17, 20, 167. 

Brehat, island of, 118-23, Agree- 
ment with inhabitants of. 

Bretons, The, xxii; 103, 107, 186, 
192. 

Bristol, viii, ix, xi, xii, xiv, 
xviii, XX, xxi; 12, 16, 17, 18, 20, 
21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 40, 41, 
49, 50, 58, 70, 91, 100, 135, 194-5. 

Bristol, men of, 12. 

Bristol, merchants of. viii, xviii, 
xxi; 12, 100, 194. 

Bristol, ship of, 13, 14. 

Bristowe, see Bristol. 

British Museunn, 12, 100. 

Brittany, xxiii; 103, 108, 180. 

Brown, Mr. Horatio F., 4. 

Brown, Rawden, 15. 

Bull Frai, 27, 28. 

Burgos, 106, 110, 111, 115, 116. 

Cabot, John, vii, viii, ix, x, xviii; 
1, letters of naturalization, 3 and 

6, form of same; 6, petition of; 
7-10 first letters patent to; 13-14, 
Zuam Talbot and his Avife; 16, 
pension; 17 and 19, in England; 
expert in navigation ; 22-24, 
second letters patent; 24, war- 
rant for pension ; 25-27, pension 
paid ; 27-28, of Genoa and visits 
Seville and Lisbon; 29-31, pay- 
ment of pension; 99, straunger 
venisian; 184-5, called Antonio; 
189-90, ditto. 

Cabot, Sancio, son of John, ix; 

7, 9. 

Cabot, Sancio, son of John, ix : 
7, 9. 

Cabot, Sebastian, son of John, 

viii, note 1, ix, xiv, xxvi; 7-10 
letters patent to; 115-16 letter to, 
from King Ferdinand; 182-3, Con- 
tarini's reoort on; 184 and 190. 
mention of, bv Santa Cruz; 199. 
201, 202 and 203. 



Cabot, Sebastian, map, x, x notes 
2 and 4. 

Cabots, xiv, xv, xxii; 7, 9, 203. 

Canso Gut, xxvi. 

Cantino, Albert, 61-65, dispatch of, 
to the Duke of Ferrara. 

Cape Bonavista, (cabo de Boa Vis- 
ta), xvii, xxii. 

Cape Breton, X. xxii, xxiii; 186,192, 
193, 195, 197. 

Cape Breton island, x, xxiii, xxvi. 

Cape Cod, xxviii. 

Cape Desolation, 190. 

Cape Discovery, x. 

Cape Farewell, xiii, xv, xvi ; 190. 

Cape Get-sight-of-me-and-leave-me, 

XV. 

Cape La Hune, (Newfoundland), 

called Cape Shallop, xix. 
Cape Mugford, xvi. 
Cape North called Thick Cape, 

xxiii. 
Cape Race, (cabo Razo), xi, xiv, 

xvii, xxii. 
Cape Ray, x, xix, xxiv. 
Cape Sable, xxvii. 
Cape St. Mary, 186, 191. 
Cape Spear, 185, 101. 
Cape Verde islands, av. 
Carlos, don, (Charles V), 106, 111. 
Carter, John, 12. 
Cartier, Jacques, xxxi. 
Casco, bay, xxviii. 
Castile, 130. 
Catalonia, 102, 107. 
Cathay, 187, 193. 
Chapeau Rouge, (Placentia bay), 

xix, xxiv. 
Charles V, xxvi, see also Carlos, 

don. 
Chauveton, U., 203. 
Chedabucto bay, xxiii, xxiv, xxvi. 
Chesapeake bay, xiv. 
Cinque Ports, 179, 180. 
Cintra, 37. 
Cipangu, Cipango, xi, xiv; 18 and 

20. 
City Companies, the, xxv; 134-42. 



PRECURSOES OF CARTIER 



209 



Clays, 12. 

Cod, X, xiv, xxi; 20, 96-97 tax on; 
118, 119. 

Coimbra, 94, 96, 196. 

Collays, Jean, 177-81, complaint of 
robbery on board ship of, 

Columbus, Christopher, viii, ix, 
xvii; 11, 27, 28. 

Conception bay, xvii. 

Conchillos Lope, 105, 106, 109, 110, 
111, 113, 115-16. 

Contarini Marcantonio, 182-3, re- 
port of, on Sebastian Cabot. 

Contino, 104, 108. 

Corte Reals, xxiv; 184, 185, 189,190, 
191, 202, 203. 

Corte Real, Caspar, xiv, xv, xvi, 
xvii, xviii, xix, xx, xxi; 32-37, 
grant to, by King Manoel, 39, 59- 
60, provisions for; 67, 68. 69, 70, 
92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 143, 144. 

Corte Real, Joa Vaz, xv; 38, 39. 

Corte Real, Michael, xviii-xx, xxi; 
67-70 grant to; 93, 95. 

Corte Real, Vasco Annes, xxi, 
xxiv; 92-96, grant to; 143-5, fresh 
confirmatiun to. 

Corunna, xxvi, xxix; 154, 155. 

Cow Head (Newfoundland), called 
Cape of the Gulf, xx. 

Criado, Juan, 104, 109. 

Crignon's discourse, 201. 

" Cronicon," 99, 100. 

Cuba, xxviii. 

Darius, 188, 194. 

Davis strait, xxix; 191. 

Dawson, Dr. S. E., C.M.G., v, x 
note 2; 20 note 1, 204. 

De Agramonte, see Agramonte. 

De Barcellos, see Barcellos. 

Dering, Richard, 178-81. 

D'Este, see Este. 

Dieppe, xxv. 

Disko bay, xiii. 

Dobel, Guillaume, 116-8, pardon of. 

Does' bay, xvi. 

Doughty, Dr. A. G., Dominion Ar- 
chivist, vi. 

Drapers, Wardens of, 134, 136, 138. 



Drapers' Company, Records of, 

142. 
Duck islands, 185. 191. 
Egypt, 188, 194. 
Eleven Thousand Virgins, the, 

xxiv; 186, 191, 192. 
Eliot, Hugh, of Bristol, xxi; 70-91, 

grant to. 
Enciso, M. F. de, 200. 
England, xiv, xxxi; 15, 43, 44. 

46, 47, 48, 52, 53, 56, 57, 89 90. 

173, 174. 
England, banner of, 13, 14. 
England, King of, 27, 28, 167, 168, 

173, 177, 184, 185, 190. 
Escondia, 183, 184, 188, 189, 190. 
Este, Hercules d', duke of Ferrara, 

61. 
Estevez, John, island of, 186, 192. 
Fabyan's lost chronicle, 203. 
Fagundes, Joam Alvares., xxii, 

xxiii, xxiv; 127-131. confirmation 

of letters patent to. 
Ferdinand, King of Spain, xxii; 

10. 27, 32, note; 102-106. grant to 

Juan de Agramonte. 
Fermeuse, (rio Fermoso), xvii. 
Fernandes, Andrew, 31, 32. 
Fernandez, Francis, xviii, xx, xxi ; 

40, 41-59, grant, to; 70-91; grant 

to; 91-2, pension to. 
Fernandez, Joao, llavrador, xii. 

xiv, xviii; 31-3Sr, grant to; 40; 41- 

59, letters patent to ; 98-99. 
Ferryland, (Farelhao), xvii. 
Fish, x, xi, xiii, xiv, xxi; 20, 96-7, 

118-23, 124, 125, 126. 
Fitzwilliam, Vice-Admiral, 142-3, 

letters from. 
Flanders, 134. 
Florida, xxvi; 184. 
Fonseca, Bishop of Palencia, 105, 

106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 115-16. 
Fortuna, isia de la, 185, 191. 
Foulche-Delbosc, Monsieur R., 

editor of the Revue Hispanique, 

vi. 
France, 186, 192. 
Francis I, 180. 
French King, (Charles VIII), ii. 



4473-14 



110 



CANADIAN AKCIIIVES 



Frenchman bay, xxvii. K 

Friar Lewis's island, (Belle isle), 

xvii. 
Fundy, bay of, xxv^ii; 195. 101 
Galicia, 105, 109, 186, 192. 
Galvano, A., 202. 
Gamos rio de los, 187. 
Gamos rio de las, 187. 
Genoa, vii. 

George, Mr. C. W., of Bristol, 195. 
Goes, Damian de, 202. 
Gomara, F. Lopez de, 201. 
Gomez, Stephen, xxv, xxvi, xxvii, 

xxviii, xxix; 145-50, agreement 

with, for discovery; 150-1, appoint- 

n)ent as captain; 153, rewards; 

154-5, caravel of, to be fitted out; 

155-6, ditto; 157-8, ditto; 158-9, 

payment to; 187, discovery by; 

192, 193, land discovered by; 200, 

202, 203. 
Gomez's, Stephen, Archipelago, 

xxvii. 

Gonzales, Joas, xviii, xx, xxi, 40, 
41-59 grant; 70-91, grant to; 91-2, 
pension. 

Grand Bruit, ( Newfoundland ), 
called the Peddler's cape, xix. 

Grand Khan, xi; 13, 14. 

Grand Manan island, xxvii. 

Greenland, xii, xiii, xv, xvi ; 185, 

189, 190, 191, 193. 
Guildford, Edward, 177-81, order to. 

" Guildford, Mary," see " Mary 
Guildford." 

Gulf stream, xii. 

Haiti, 109; 167, note. 

Hakluyt, R., account of the voyage 

of 1527, 203. 
Hales, Christopher, 177-81, order 

to. 
Hales, John, 177-81. 
Halifax harbour, xxvii. 
Hall, Mr. Hubert, F.S.A., of the 

Public Record Office, v. 
Hamilton inlet, xvi. 
Haro, Christopher de, J54-5, royal 

order to. 
Hawte, William, 177-81, order to. 



[Henry VII, viii, ix, x, xii, xviii, 
I XX ; 7, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 27, 28, 
1 29, 30, 40, 182-3. 

Henry VIII, xxix, xxx; 135. 136, 
137, 143, 162; 177-81, order from; 
182-3. 

Herbert, George, 25, 26. 

Herrera, A. de, 203. 

Hispaniola, 104, 109. 

Hudson's strait, xiii. 

Iceland, viii, xii; 18, 20, 119. 

Indians, xix, xx, xxii,xxiii, xxviii; 
193. 

Indies, the. (West), viii, xii; 11. 

Indies, the, (East), xviii, xxv ; 

187, 193. 
Ireland, viii, ix, xii, xx; 17, 18, 20, 

21, 27, 28, 100, 177, 179. 
Isabella, Queen of Spain, 10, 27; 32, 

note. 
Islands, 14, 16, 17, 19. 
Islario, General, 189. 
Joanna, Queen of Castile, xxii; 

102-11 warrant to Juan de Agra- 

monte; 111-15, letters patent to 

Agramonte. 
John III, King of Portugal, xxiv. 
Juan Estevez, see Estevez. 
Kempe, William, 177-81, order to. 
Kemys, Arthur, 25, 26, 29, 30, 91, 92. 
Kennebec river, xxvii. 
Kent, 180, 181. 
Khan, sec Grand Khan. 
Labrador, (Greenland), xii, xv ; 

183-85 and 189-90, 191. 
Labrador, (modern), xiii, xvi, xxx; 

190, 191. 
Lachine rapids, xxxi. 
Langlade, x, xix, xxiv. 
Lapland, 190. 
La Poile bay, xxiv. 
Laredo, 103, 107, 108. 
La Rochelle, 159, 161, 181, 182. 
Lerida, 102, 103, 107, 111, 113. 
Levant, vii. 
Lisbon, xii, xv, xvi, xvii, xxv; 27, 

28, 31, 32, 34,38,40,59,61,62,63, 

65, 68, 70, 128, 131, 14t). 



PRECURSORS OF C ARTIER 



211 



Livery Companies of London, 

xxix; 134-142. 
Lok, Michael, map; x, note 2. 
London, viii, xi, xxix; 13, 14, 19, 
~21, 92, 100, 134, 135. 
Low island, 185, 191. 
Ludovic, the Moor, 15. 
Madeira, 31, 32, 130, 131. 
Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional, 189. 
Magellan, xxv. 
Magellan, strait of, xxvi. 
Maine, gulf of, xxviii. 
Manoel I, King of Portugal, xv, 

xviii, xxi, xxiv; 31, 3^, 35, 37. 
Mantuan Gentleman's Discourse, 

201. 
Maps, 204-205. 
Marennes, 159. 
Martins, John, 37-40, grant from 

King Manoel to. 
Martyr, Peter, 199, 201. 
" Mary Guildford," the, xxix, xxx, 

xxxi. 
" Mary James," 142, 143. 
" Mathew," the, ix; 194. 
Mecca, vii, x; 18, 20. 
Mediterranean, vii. 
Mercers, Wardens of the, 135, 136. 
Merrimac river, xxviii. 
Meryk, Richard, 25, 26, 29, 30, 91, 

92. 
Milan, 15, 19. 

Milan, Duke of, 15, Soncino's dis- 
patch to; 17-21, second ditto. 

Miquelon, x, xxiv. 

Mocenigo Pietro, (doge of Venice), 
3, 5, 6. 

Modena, vi; 63. 

Moluccas, xxvi; 188, 193. 

Mona, island of, xxx, xxxi; 165-68. 

Musset, Monsieur, 159. 

Nantes, 118. 

Nantucket island, xxviii. 

Nasquapee Indians, xvi. 

New England, xiv. 

Newfoundland, x, xiii, xvii, xviii, 
xix, XX, xxi, xxii, xxiv, xxv, 
xxvi, xxx; 12, 96, 97, 99; 100. 



savages from; 102-11, voyage to; 
111-15, ditto; 116, 118,119,124 125 
126,132,133; 134-42, projected ex- 
pedition to; 159-165, vessels at; 
167, 173, 177, 181, 189, 190, 191; 
195-7. Portuguese Colony in; 199, 
200, 202. 

New France, 202. 

Nile, 188, 194. 

Normandy, xxii. 

North America, 190, 193; 204. 

North Strom fiord, xv. 

Northwest passage, 145-150; 165-77. 

Norway, 176, 189. 

Nova Scotia, xiv, xxiii. 

Ognibene Cav, Giovanni, of the 

Archivio di Stato at Modena, vi. 
Olaus Magnus, 184, 189. 
Osorio, H., 203. 

Oviedo, G. F. de, 200, 201, 204. 
Ozama river, xxxi. 
Palencia, bishop of, see Fonseca. 
Panama, 188, 194. 
Pasqualigo, Alvisc, 13, 14. 
Pasqualigo, Francesco, 13, 14. 
Pasqualigo, Lorenzo, 13, 14. 
Pasqualigo, Philip, 13, 14. 
Pasqualigo, Pietro, 65-67, letter to 

the Signiory of Venice; 199, ditto. 
Paz, Sr. D. Julian, of the Archivo 

General de Simancas, vi. 
Penaquid point, xxvii. 
Penobscot bay, xxvii. 
" Pensee " of Dieppe, xxii. 
Perte, 202. 
Placentia bay, (Big bay), xvii, 

xviii, xix, xxiii, xxiv. 
Plattard, Monsieur J., Docteur 6s- 

Lettres, vi; 4. 
Ploumanac'h, 181. 
Plymouth, xxix. 
Ponce, 105, 110. 
Ponta Delgada, 98. 

Pooley, Mr. E. H., Clerk of the 
Drapers' Company, vi. 

Popinjays, 12. 

Port-au-Port bay, (Newfoundland), 

called Athwart bav. xix. 



212 



CANADIAN ARCHIVES 



Porto Rico, XXX ; 167, 177. 
Portugal, XV, xx, xxii, xxiv; 11, 27, 

28, 66, 96, 191. 
Portugal, King of, xxi, xxvi; 11, 

17, 19, 40, 41, 47, 50, 56, 81, 82, 

103, 107, 184, 185, 190, 191. 
Ptolemy, 188, 194. 
Public Record Office, 6, b, 15, 17, 

23, 24, 25, 26, 40, 50, 80, 92, 142, 

143, 163, 179. 

Puebia, Gonzales de, 10. 

Ramsgate, 180. 

Ramusio, 202. 

Record Office, sec Public Record 

Office. 
Red Sea, vii; 188, 194. 
Rouen, xxii; 163, 199. 
Roy, Dr. J. E., of the Archives 

Branch, vi. 
Rut, John, Letter of, 200. 
Saco river, xxviii. 
St. Anne bay, called the river of 

St. James, xxiii. 
" St. Anthony," The, xxvi. 
Salnt-Brieux, 123, 162, 180. 
St. Domingo, xxx; 194. 
St. Elmo, 186, 192. 
St. George's bay, (Newfoundland), 

xix. 
St. George's cape, (cape Ray), x. 
St. Irene's bay, (Trinity bay), xvii. 
Saint John, island of, x; 185-87, 

190-3. 
St. John the Baptist, festival of, x. 
St. Johns, (Newfoundland), xix, 

XX, xxx; 200. 
St. Julian's channel, 187, 192-3. 
St. Lawrence, gulf of, xxiv, xxxi. 
St. Mark, banner of, 13, 14. 
St. Mary's bay, (the harbour of 

the Cross), xvii; 186, 191, 192. 
St. Paul's bay, (Newfoundland), 

called the Natives' river, xx. 
St. Peter, island of, 185, 191. 
St. Pierre, x, xxiv. 
"Samson," The, xxix. 
San Domingo, xxx, xxxi; 166, 

167; 168-177, evidence taken at. 



Santa-Cruz's, Alonso de, Isiario 

General, 183-194. 
Santander, xxii; 103, 107, 108. 
Santiago in Cuba, xxviii. 
Scandinavia, 183, 189, 190, 193-4. 
Scatari island, x, x note 4. 
Schoodic point, xxvii. 
Seven Cities, island of, viii; 15, 16, 

27, 28. 
Seville, xii; 27, 28, 115, 147, 158. 
Sheepscat river, xxvii. 
Ships, see Vessels. 
Ship harbour, xxvii. 
Silk, vii, x; 14, 17, 20. 
Simancas, 11, 28, 106, 113. 
Slave-trade, xvi. 
Soncino Raimondo di, 15, extract 

from first dispatch; 17-21, second 

dispatch. 
South Sea, 187, 188, 193, 194. 
Spain, viii, xxii, xxv, xxvi; 11, 

105, 110, 135, 188, 194. 
Spain, King of, 17, 19. 
Spert, 202. 
Stow, John, 203. 
Sukkertoppen, xiii. 
Sydney harbour, xxiii. 
Tanais, 17, 20. 
Terceira, xiv, xv; 31, 38, 39. 
Thanet, island of, 180. 
Thevet, A., 202, 203. 
Thirkill (Lanslot or Launcelot), 

of London, 12. 
Thomas, John, of Bristol, xviii; 

40, 41-59, grant to. 
Thome, Robert, 201. 
Toby, Maurice, 194-5, lost chroni- 
cle of. 
Tordesillas, Treaty of, xv; 28, note 

3. 
Torre do Tombo, 31, 34, 38, 60, 69, 

94, 97, 101, 144. 
Torres Lanzas, Sr D. Pedro, of the 

Archive de Indies at Seville, vi. 
Trinity bay, (St. Irene's bay), xvii. 
Trinity group, the, x. 
Valladolid, 147, 150, 151, 152. 153. 

154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159. 



PRECURSORS OF CARTIER 



213 



Vasques, Christopher, 104, 109. 
Venice, vii; 1, 4. 13, 14, 66. 
Verrazano, Giovanni da, xxv, xxx. 
Vessels, Vhristophe, 181. 

" La Catherine, 160. 

" La Jacquette, 116. 

" La Margaritte, 161. 

" La Marguerite, 162. 

" La Marie, 159. 

" Le Barbara, 178, 179. 

" Le Marie, 133. 

" Mary Guildford, xxix.xxx, 

xzxi. 

" Mary James, 142, 143. 

" MathetP, ix, xi; 194. 

" Pens4e, xxii. 

" Samson xxix, xxx. 

St. Peter, 124. 
Vianna in Portugal, xxi, xxii, xxv; 
127, 129, 195, 196. 



Vienna, Kaiseri, und Konigl. Hof- 

bibliothek at, 182, 189. 
Warde, Richard, xviii; 40, 41-59, 

grant to. 
West Indies, xxx. 

Westminster, 6, 8, 10. 16, 23, 40, 49, 

50, 91. 

Westminster Chapter Archives, 30. 

Whitehead, Mr. A. W., 21, note. 

Wild cats, 12. 

Willoughby, (Lord) de Broke, 116. 

Wolsey, Cardinal, xxv; 135, 136, 
137, 138, 142, 143. 

Zeigler, 183, 189. 



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